APPALACHIAN CHILDREN COALITION AWARDED $64.2 M FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL SCHOOL HEALTH PROJECT
Funding has been announced for a transformative Appalachian School and Community Health Project that will impact 36 communities across
20 Appalachian Ohio counties and involve 34 school districts and 16 health care partners. Working in collaboration with Nationwide
Children's Hospital, the Appalachian Children Coalition requested funds as part of Gov. DeWine's $500 million investment in Appalachia under the "OhioBuilds - Small Communities - Big Impact - A Plan for Appalachia." This single largest investment in children's health in the state of Ohio works to ensure that every child in an Appalachian Ohio community has access to the essential care and support they need, right within their schools and local neighborhoods.
Understanding the unique challenges faced by healthcare providers in our region, the funding will support a coordinated, yet locally controlled, network of health clinics and extended services across Appalachian Ohio. The Appalachian Children Coalition recognizes that our public schools, educational service centers, and career technical centers are the heart of Appalachian communities and the most reliable way to reach the region's most vulnerable children. By integrating this healthcare network with these community anchors, we can ensure unprecedented access to essential services for thousands of children and families. This project will improve the overall wellbeing and quality of life for decades to come by providing families with greater access to comprehensive healthcare.
Media inquiries: please contact Elizabeth Jones at ejones@appchildren.org.
ACC'S APPALACHIAN OHIO CHILD & FAMILY HEALTH DATA DASHBOARD: NOW LIVE
Developed with funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and in partnership with Ohio University's Voinovich School, this one-stop data source consists of over 200 community indicators on health and wellbeing across Appalachian Ohio. Healthcare practitioners, health departments, ADAMH boards, school districts, social service agencies, policymakers, local leaders, researchers, and community members can utilize these tools and data to better understand root causes of inequities and improve outcomes for our children and families.
The Dashboard includes data for the entire 32-county Appalachian Ohio region as well as separate data summaries for each of those 32 counties. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to add indicators to the list you will presently find as those data are made available to us. We will also be regularly updating the Dashboard so you will know you are accessing the most current data available.
Find the dashboard at acchealthdata.org.
Mission
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our region's children through collective advocacy and strategic investments.
Vision
The Appalachian Children Coalition envisions a future where every child has access to the care that they require at home, in school, and in their communities.
Utilizing research and best practice, the Appalachian Children Coalition aspires to be a servant to those who serve children by building awareness, advocating for change, generating resources, and building a culture of collaboration across our communities.
Goals
According to studies by regional and state experts,
about 1,000,000 Ohioans
live without internet access.
Having access to the internet is a crucial necessity in our lives in 2023. Inaccessibility to the internet has been a lasting issue in the Appalachian region for years. This includes but is not limited too, access to information, jobs, and telehealth resources. These challenges were significantly magnified due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Read more and watch our Board Member, Robin Burrow, speak on a panel with the Columbus Metropolitan Club about Bridging the Digital Divide.
Help make a difference
If you wish to donate by check:
Please address checks to:
Appalachian Children Coalition
Please mail checks to:
Appalachian Children Coalition
5 Depot Street
Athens Ohio 45701
Coalition Membership
The Coalition includes behavioral health, K-12 education, and partner organizations that serve 32 counties. According to the U.S. Census data, this includes about 207,000 children in those counties, and at least 135,000 children enrolled in 187 school districts across those counties.
If you are the leader of an organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Appalachian youth, join our coalition. We need your support and your voice.
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