North Central Health District

NCHD Selected to Receive Healthcare Georgia Foundation Grant

Posted July 13, 2017 by Michael Hokanson

North Central Health District (NCHD), on behalf of Hancock County, has been chosen by Healthcare Georgia Foundation as one of 11 statewide community health partnerships to receive a grant of $70,500 as part of Phase I of The Two Georgias Initiative. The Initiative will work to reach greater healthcare equity among residents of Georgia’s rural areas by encouraging easier access to quality healthcare.

In an earlier statement from Healthcare Georgia Foundation, President Gary D. Nelson, Ph.D., said, “No one should be denied access to quality healthcare because of their zip code or place of residence. We believe this Initiative provides our rural residents with the opportunity to benefit from the leadership of these 11 rural collaboratives as they craft innovative solutions to eliminate health disparities and promote economic development in their communities.”

The Two Georgias Initiative, introduced last year at five regional community forums across the state, provides significant financial support with the goal of accelerating the recipients’ efforts towards accessible, quality healthcare. NCHD will not only benefit from the initial investment – the Foundation will provide support and technical assistance for the next several years.

As part of the Initiative, NCHD will develop a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for Hancock County over the next year with plans to implement the CHIP in 2018 with increased funding from the Foundation. During this first phase, a Hancock County Health Improvement Partnership composed of citizens, organization and agencies of the county will be established to identify health and healthcare priority areas related to health and health outcomes in the county. A CHIP will be crafted that establishes strategies to address these priorities and expand access to quality healthcare.

“The grant will allow groups in one of our rural counties to pull together and plan for a healthier future for the county,” said NCHD Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement and Accreditation Coordinator Miranda Helms. “The Hancock County Health Improvement Partnership gives organizations the opportunity to have their goals addressed when developing the Community Health Improvement Plan. With more organizations participating in this partnership, we can identify even more diverse issues benefitting the entire population of Hancock County.”

NCHD is looking for organizations, citizens, agencies and faith-based groups within the county to be a part of the Hancock County Health Improvement Partnership. Interested parties should contact Hancock County Health Department at 706-444-6616 or Miranda Helms at 478-751-6036 or via miranda.helms@dph.ga.gov.

Healthcare Georgia Foundation is a statewide, private independent foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities. Through its strategic grantmaking, Healthcare Georgia Foundation supports organizations that drive positive change, promotes programs that improve health and healthcare among underserved individuals and communities, and connects people, partners and resources across Georgia. For more information, please visit the Foundation online at www.healthcaregeorgia.org.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive news, emergency messages and health information!