For the past 15 years, Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Ministry Health Care have provided more than $3.47 million in grant funds for innovative projects that specifically focus on the needs of the poor and underserved. These funds are provided for creative and unduplicated services that assist individuals in making long term changes to improve their ability to be independent and improve their ability to stay out of the “illness” system. Programs must serve individuals in the Hospital’s primary service areas of Wood, Clark and western Marathon counties.
“The results of past projects have been dynamic,” said Mike Blanchard, Vice President of Administrative Services and chair of the Ministry Health Care Fund review committee. “The philosophy of Ministry Health Care is to improve the health and well being of individuals and these grants are a way for Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Ministry Health Care to demonstrate our commitment to our mission.”
This year, there were 30 requests submitted for funding consideration. Projects approved needed to benefit the poor/under served and must encourage self-sufficiency. A committee of Hospital and community leaders reviewed the requests, prioritized the needs and allocated the available funds. For the fiscal year 2010, the committee awarded a total of $300,000 to twenty-three projects. The following is a summary of the funded projects that continue the mission of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, to help those in need.
Alzheimer’s Respite Program - Wood County Department of Aging
Wood County Department of Aging utilizes Ministry Funds to provide respite for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Funds are used to provide staff for in-home care or at a respite center to allow care givers to “take a break” from caring for their loved one.
Community Care Outreach
The Hospital’s Patient and Business Services Staff oversee this program, which provides interim insurance premium payments to qualified low-income individuals who have a pre-existing condition and are between jobs.
Community Health Screening – American Red Cross
Ministry grant provides funding for free monthly health screenings at five locations in Wood and Marathon counties. Individuals also receive health and prevention information.
Domestic Abuse Services in Clark County – Personal Development Center
Personal Development Center provides domestic violence prevention and intervention programs to Clark County residents with this grant. The funding from the Ministry Fund also allows the program to receive matching funds from the state to further enhance services.
Emergency Housing – North Central Community Action
North Central Community Action works with individuals needing crisis housing assistance. The Program provides funds to pay for rent for qualified individuals that are in danger of eviction. Other grant sources and United Way dollars are also used to meet the demands of those in danger of homelessness.
Emergency Assistance – Wood & Clark Counties’ Department of Social Services
Qualified individuals receive small grants to pay for emergency expenses not covered by any other county assistance programs.
Family Resource Center – Children’s Service Society
Parenting materials, courses and other support are offered through the Family Resource Center in Marshfield.
Final Help for Vital Needs – Indianhead Community Action Agency
Indianhead Community Action Program will provide emergency, low-income services/funding to Clark County residents through this Ministry fund grant. There are limited supportive services available in Clark County for low-income residents, and this program provides assistance for many situations.
Healthy Smiles for Wood County - Wood County Health Department
Ministry funds will provide medical supplies and other costs for this program to put sealants on hundreds of second grade children in north Wood County. In addition, the program educates children on the importance of good dental habits and works with families who have unmet dental needs.
Interfaith Caregivers of Clark County
The Program matches volunteers in Clark County with low income and elderly individuals in need of home repairs, shopping, visiting, etc.
Kiddie Kaboose Day Care
This program provides day care at a minimal cost for teen parents while they complete High School or secondary education. Program is sponsored by Saint Joseph’s Hospital and also receives funding from Marshfield Area United Way.
Mary’s Place Boarding House
Grant funds provided to replace roof on this Marshfield boarding house for low income or homeless individuals.
Scholarship Aid for Child Care – Child Care Resource & Referral
Grant provides one time assistance to low income individuals needing help with child care payments. Program is run through Child Care Resource & Referral.
Scholarship Aid for Adult Care – Companion Day Services
Funding from Saint Joseph’s Hospital~Ministry Funds assists with scholarships for adult day care services.
St. Vincent de Paul Free Medical Clinic
Ministry Funds to assist with prescriptions and other program expenses for the free clinic, which is held the first and third Wednesday of each month at St. Vincent de Paul. The Hospital also provides used equipment that is needed by the free medical clinic.
St. Vincent de Paul – Home Health Services
Volunteer nurses from the Hospital provide short term home health services for bandage changing, medication monitoring, etc. to low income or other individuals in need of health care needs that they are unable to manage on their own.
Youth Net – Marshfield Clinic, Center for Community Outreach
Program matches at-risk youth with youth mentors. These youth mentors, along with professional staff, provide guidance and support to the members of the program.
Youth Scholarship Assistance – Marshfield Area YMCA
The program is designed to reach at risk and low income youth and provide financial assistance for YMCA programs and services.
In addition to these programs, start-up grants were provided to: Single Point of Entry – Wood County Unified Services; Foreclosure Prevention – Catholic Charities; and to UW Extension to develop an on-line Parenting Newsletter program to new parents.