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Logan County Board of Health members were informed at their Wednesday afternoon meeting that two programs offered locally by the Logan County Health District — one that aids area paramedics and first responders in fighting the drug epidemic, and another that assists families with their children’s chronic health conditions — will continue to operate in their current capacity as a result of the programs’ inclusion in the state’s biennial budget.
Last month, the health board accepted an Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services’ Community Innovations grant that provides the health departments around the state with the chance to purchase naloxone that is then passed along to area emergency responders for use in overdose scenarios.
The acceptance of the grant hinged upon the inclusion in the state’s budget, and Nursing Director Kay Schroer confirmed Wednesday that the grant is moving forward.
“I should be able to begin ordering the naloxone by the end of the week,” she said. “We know that we’ll receive at least $1,800 for the grant as we have the last two years, but we have also requested an increase in funds for this program.”
In addition, Schroer told board members that cuts and changes previously proposed by Gov. John Kasich to the Bureau of Children with Medical Handicaps will not move forward after the measures were voted down by the House and Senate.
Parent groups rallied this spring at the Ohio Statehouse to protest the changes, which would have affected the availability of the program to low- and middle-income families to help pay for children’s medicines, therapies, devices and nursing care not covered by insurance that can become financially burdensome.
The nursing director also said Gov. Kasich had previously proposed a move of the program to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, but for now, it will stay under the direction of the Ohio Department of Health.
“We’re very happy that the program will stay with the ODH,” Schroer said. “Our BCMH nurse Alberta Hartshorn has worked so hard to establish connections with area families, and has become well-versed with this program, so we’re so glad to see it continue.”
Related to the naloxone grant, health departments have the choice of what form of naloxone to order. Two options are Project Deaths Avoided With Naxolone, or DAWN, kits that contain nasal atomizers, syringes and face shields, or packages of 10 syringes.
Schroer previously worked with emergency responders to determine their preferences.
Naloxone, commonly known by its trade name Narcan, blocks the effects of opiates and opioids and can quickly allow an overdose victim to breathe again.
In the first year for the grant, naloxone was provided to Bellefontaine EMS, Indian Lake EMS, Bokescreek EMS and Riverside EMS departments, as previously reported.
The nursing director noted that this year, she would give preference to agencies that have not benefited from the grant before.
In other nursing matters, nursing staff members will be hosting late immunization clinics throughout August to assist parents with fulfilling back-to-school immunization requirements. Walk-in hours for the clinics for each Thursday in August will be 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
Individuals with private insurance should call ahead to 651-6186 to have their insurance verified.
Read complete story in Thursday’s Examiner.
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