Explanation
This ordinance appropriates and transfers $150,000 within the general permanent improvement fund and authorizes and directs the Director of the Department of Health to enter into a grant agreement with OhioHealth Foundation in order to purchase a Wellness on Wheels (WOW) mobile unit that provides important healthcare throughout metropolitan Columbus.
Every year, approximately 400-450 economically disadvantaged women receive their prenatal and postpartum care through the Wellness On Wheels mobile unit. Additionally, with the help of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the WOW program provides dental hygiene care to about 400-450 patients during their pregnancies; free sports physicals to approximately 500 Columbus City middle and high school students; and an Ambassador Program that provides wellness and prevention education to high school students. In partnership with Columbus City Schools, the school Ambassador Program goes into schools to reach approximately 850 students on various topics including STIs, nutrition, paternity and others.
The Wellness on Wheels Expansion Project aims to provide more reliable healthcare to underserved Franklin County women and children, including the new Community Shelter Board building located at 595 Van Buren Street. The Van Buren Shelter includes Rebecca's Place, a shelter for single adult women which provides emergency shelter, job, health and counseling support, and assistance in finding stable housing. The WOW mobile unit will decrease the number of clinic sessions cancelled, serve more patients, and improve the overall continuum of care for patients served by the WOW mobile unit.
Additionally, the Wellness on Wheels mobile unit will be targeted towards the highest risk neighborhoods to help improve social and economic conditions that drive disparities across our community. Funding of the WOW mobile unit will further the goals and recommendations of the Greater Infant Mortality Task Force. The task force recomm...
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