Drug and Alcohol Therapy: Merv is working with TCN Behavioral Health to provide a satellite office to provide therapy in Mechanicsburg one or more days a week. This would remove the transportation barrier that can make it difficult to get enough support during the recovery journey. The public’s access to care is a priority for the MHDAS and Merv’s efforts are greatly appreciated. “I have a real passion for people with substance use disorders,” says Merv. “I don’t only want to give them a ride home from jail. I want a relationship with them. I want to connect them to the things they need to be successful like housing, employment, mentorship, and a church family.” Merv has been very successful with this approach as he has helped people transition from a jail cell, to an apartment, to obtaining their driver’s license, and gaining access to employment, all thanks to his involvement.
The good news: when caught early, breast cancer has a 99% survival rate. Early detection is the key to a full recovery. If you or someone you love needs a mammogram, please follow the information below!
For a screening, call: Springfield Imaging and Lab Center or Mercy Health Urbana Hospital: (937) 328-8100 The Mercy Health Mobile Mammography coach: (937) 523-9332
 Everyone can play a role in preventing child abuse. That’s the message of this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign in April: Be a Hero in the Eyes of a Child.
Through its Facebook page, @ChampaignCountyDJFS, the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services (CCDJFS) is offering ways for local residents to participate in the campaign and help prevent child abuse and neglect in their day-to-day lives. “It takes one simple act of kindness at a time,” says Sara Wright, CCDJFS social services administrator. “I see a mom I know at the store, and I tell her she’s doing a great job. Or maybe I know a family that could be struggling, maybe they have an illness. I could make a meal for them. “These types of things are heroic acts. That’s what this campaign is about, those little acts of kindness that really help make kids safe, because it helps support families.” Stacy Cox, director of CCDJFS, adds, “It takes a community to protect a child, or to raise a child. It’s really those simple acts that play into that community connectedness.” Ways to Participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Champaign County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed April “A Celebration of Family and Children Month, in tribute to concerned citizens, professionals and foster parents who work together in the cause of protecting our county’s children.” In addition, CCDJFS is promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month with coloring sheets distributed to schools and libraries, as well as pizza box toppers and drink coasters at local restaurants with dine-in service. 2020 Child Abuse Statistics In 2020, CCDJFS Child Protective Services completed 228 investigations/assessments of reports of child abuse or neglect. Thirty-five of the reports were substantiated or indicated as cases of abuse or neglect. The department served an average of 37 families, on an ongoing basis, per month, and 33 youth were in agency custody. But the pandemic had an impact on reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect, Wright said. “From March going into April 2020 we saw an over 60 percent decline in calls coming in. What that tells us, people weren’t seeing each other, and people weren’t seeing kids. Connectivity and connections matter” in helping to identify and prevent abuse. Wright adds, “The more supported we can make people feel, the less we see the impact of hardships, like poverty and substance abuse, and the better that kids are going to be protected.” The key message of the Be a Hero in the Eyes of a Child campaign, she said, is that “it’s the simple acts of kindness that make a huge difference. We know the numbers of abuse and neglect, because that’s what we track. But the numbers we don’t have is how much abuse and neglect was prevented by those simple acts that adults in the community are doing each and every day.” Practice to become Madison Health - Mechanicsburg
Her practice name will soon become “Madison Health – Mechanicsburg” as she signs with Madison Health and their Alliance partners at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Mount Carmel Health System.
“Because I believe in giving the highest quality of care and operating with sound business principles and policies, I’ve chosen to partner with Madison Health, which will allow me more time to focus on what I love best – the clinical care of my patients,” she said. “It takes a great deal of time to oversee the daily operations of the practice, while maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach. There are simply not enough hours in the day to do all the things I love – and that’s a good dilemma to have.” Elle and her husband, Scott, are thrilled with the partnership and are hopeful that the future may yield even more health care providers in the practice. Elle will continue to see patients full-time in Mechanicsburg, and will even expand patient appointment hours beyond her present business hours. Elle explains with a smile, “This is a win-win, for me, my patients, and Madison Health – Mechanicsburg. I will be able to spend all of my time providing direct patient care, while the daily operations are managed by Madison Health.” She continues, “I look forward to being part of a larger team, and having access to an expanded group of peer providers and the potential for leadership opportunities.” Also of noteworthy value, Elle and her patients will have access to a more robust electronic medical record (Epic/IHIS) and will be able to view some of their records through a secure online portal called “MyChart.” Madison Health’s CEO, Dana Engle, has visited Gentle Care a few times since doors opened in 2008, always offering to listen and discuss how Madison Health could help meet the needs of Elle’s patients and join efforts for the common goal of improving health care in Champaign, Madison and Clark counties. “At Madison Health, we are committed to supporting our local communities,” said Engle. “Elle is an established and well-respected practitioner, whose heart is also committed to the communities for which she passionately cares. We are more than excited for her to join our team and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to have on the lives of her patients.” The anticipated date for name and facade changes to the facility is the end of March, along with some equipment and technology upgrades and an additional employee. For now, the phone number for scheduling appointments will remain the same: 937-834-5320. Appointments will be offered from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Elle says, “I feel so blessed to take this next step. God has opened every door in front of me along this journey, in His own time. Empowering my patients with the knowledge and confidence to improve their health, along with diagnosing and treating their pathologies, is truly my professional heart’s desire. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to practice clinically in a setting that supports my growth and development as a women’s health nurse practitioner.” Mechanicsburg, OH – In an effort to continue community support during the pandemic, Mechanicsburg Public Library is excited to provide free COVID-19 at-home tests through curbside pickup beginning March 9, 2021.
The Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are self-administered nasal swab tests. Provided at no cost by the state of Ohio through an agreement with eMed, they can provide test results in as little as 15 minutes. To use a test kit, you must have access to the Internet and either a smart phone/tablet with a camera or a computer/laptop with a webcam. Once you get home with the test, you will go to the website https://ohio.emed.com or the NAVICA app (available for iOS and Android). You will answer a series of questions to prepare for a free visit with an eMed proctor who will provide instructions for taking the test. The entire process will take 15 to 30 minutes to complete and receive results. Anyone can access a free test during operational hours. Patrons may request more than one test (with a limit of five tests per family) and won’t be asked for any personal information. However, patrons will be asked not to take the test at the library. Other than providing tests for pickup, library staff will not be able to help with administering the test in any way. To request a test, please call the library at 937-834-2004 during open hours of Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Library staff will bring your test(s) to your vehicle or a designated pickup spot. This service is available at Mechanicsburg Public Library thanks to support from the Ohio Department of Health and its partnership with Abbott and eMed to bring rapid, reliable testing into the home. To see a full list of locations providing COVID-19 tests, visit https://ohio.emed.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://governor.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/governor/media/news-and-media/covid19-update-01072020 PHASE 1B VACCINATIONS Governor DeWine announced those in Phase 1B will be able to receive vaccinations beginning on Tuesday, January 19. Those 80 years of age and older will be prioritized first in this next phase, roughly totaling 420,000 Ohioans. Ohio is expected to receive 100,000 doses during the first week of distribution to Phase 1B. “With up to 420,000 people 80 years and above, and only 100,000 doses available the first week, it will take several weeks to vaccinate those 80 years of age and older," said Governor DeWine. "Phase 1B will take a few weeks, and a lot of coordination in distribution.” Vaccines for Ohioans 80 years of age and older will be administered by physicians, local health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, in-home health service providers, and some retail pharmacies. As of today, the Ohio Department of Health has approximately 1,700 providers registered to distribute vaccines. Additionally, the Ohio Department of Health will be hosting a webinar for registered providers to discuss expectations, and instructions for distribution. Additional details will be shared with registered providers in the coming days. Governor DeWine anticipates vaccinations will be available to Ohioans 75 years of age and older beginning Monday, January 25. The following week, vaccinations will be available to those 70 years of age and older. Beginning the week of Monday, February 8 ' vaccinations will be available to those 65 years of age and older. “As we include other age ranges, please know that does not mean vaccinations will be complete for the previous age range,” said Governor DeWine. The week of January 25 will also include vaccinations for Ohioans with severe congenital, developmental, or early onset medical disorders. Additional details about distribution for this group will be forthcoming. During the week of February 1, Governor DeWine announced that vaccinations will be available for personnel in Ohio schools. The Ohio Department of Heath will send forms to Ohio superintendents to indicate their school plans to go back to in full in-person and hybrid learning by March 1, as well as indicate the number of staff they believe will choose to take the vaccination. Superintendents will also be asked if a community partner has been identified to help with the administering of the COVID-19 vaccines to school personnel. Additional information about vaccinations can be found at coronavirus.ohio.gov.
“The MHDAS Board and staff are extremely grateful to OhioMHAS, to Senator (Rob) Portman and all those who advocated for the federal CURES legislation that helped to fund this initiative as a way to address the significant mental health and addiction needs in local communities,” said Tammy L. Nicholl, MHDAS executive director. “We, along with our system of providers, are very excited to see this level of investment of new dollars into our local system of care.” Nicholl said the funding will touch the entire continuum of services from prevention to treatment services and recovery supports for people struggling with addiction. She said the grant will provide increased resources, including to the following services: CORE Coalitions working to address substance abuse, dollars to support the development of faith coalitions in both counties, increased availability of peer support services in community settings, access to Medication Assisted Treatment medications in the jails and community, increased access to in-patient crisis stabilization and withdrawal management services, transportation resources for behavioral health services, development of a more community-based crisis response system and recovery housing. “All of this could not come at any better time, given the impacts that COVID-19 has had on our community,” Nicholl said. “While COVID has had a tremendous impact on the physical health of many in our communities, it has also left a significant wake of mental health and substance abuse wounds that will take some time to recover from. “Our communities are fortunate to have provider agencies that have not missed a beat in continuing to meet behavioral health needs and adjusting to deliver those services in creative ways,” Nicholl said. “Even still, they are all feeling the weight of a lack of capacity to meet the level of need we have today in mental health and addiction across the lifespan and the socioeconomic sectors of our communities.” Submitted by MHDAS Board of Logan & Champaign Counties
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