New year, new programs for some CHART agencies

Nevada Daily Mail

A fresh start was the theme for many agencies at Tuesday's Community Health Assistance Resource Team meeting. About five agencies attended the meeting and discussed upcoming plans for the year along with changes within their organizations. Several organizations have added programs or classes for community members.

On My Own has reworked its monthly calendar, including several new program options. A weekly budgeting class will be held on Thursday mornings, with additional one-on-one times available for those who cannot make the regular class time.

An aquatics program has been reinstated, and will be held on Tuesday's and Thursday's at 2 p.m. On My Own has partnered with the Nevada YMCA to host the class, which will be offered at a reduced rate for those who receive assistance from On My Own. Individuals who cannot afford the fee may be eligible for a scholarship to cover the cost. Funds raised from the aquatics program will be used for future pool projects.

"All of the money that we do raise from that class, we'll use to buy adaptive equipment for the YMCA," Wilson said. "We'll see how much we raise with that before we know what equipment we're going to buy."

On My Own has also combined two groups -- the Autism Spectrum Disorder Group and the Parent Support Group -- and changed the meeting time to the second Thursday of the month. Wilson said combining the groups made meeting easier for members who attended both. On My Own is also considering the creation of other support groups due to few support groups meeting in Nevada.

Healthy Nevada will also use 2014 as a springboard for changes. John Gulick, a representative for the health initiative, said that the end of January will host a Healthy Nevada launch and that efforts like a new billboard will be used to spread the word.

"There's a whole new campaign to just increase awareness of what Healthy Nevada is," Gulick said. The launch will include a family fun night on Jan. 29, and nearly 40 different programs throughout the year.

Other agencies at Tuesday's CHART meeting shared news of renovations. Medicalodges, a nursing and rehabilitation center, has undergone interior remodels. Facility representative Kim Robertson said that along with newly renovated bathrooms and residences, the center is switching to electronic records keeping.

Similar renovations are ongoing at Heartland Behavioral Health Services, where patient rooms have been updated. Dining rooms and the building kitchen are next in line. Betsy Curtis, director of marketing and community relations, said that the Healthy Nevada initiative has inspired staff to reconsider meal plans and opt for healthier options.

CHART meetings this year will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at On My Own. The next meeting is Feb. 19.