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Planner explains 21st Century Communities
 Ravin Gore, a Community Development Planner with the Division of Community Assistance (DCA), spoke at the March 19 Healthy Ansonians Task Force meeting. The DCA is a division of the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Fred Thompson, Ph.D., CEO and Administrator of Anson Community Hospital, said that the Anson County Health Department's Report to the Community is due by Dec. 1 of this year. "The 21st Century Communities program also involves the health of the community," Thompson said.
Gore said that six counties are 21st Century Communities in the current round: Graham, Caldwell, Harnett, Edgecombe, Beaufort and Anson.
The initiative "identifies communities experiencing economic development challenges and creates a partnership with the Department of Commerce to develop creative strategies that support long-term economic vitality," Gore said. "We engage key federal, state and local partners in an effort to maximize resources."
Gore said that the team meets counties "where they are."
"If you already have a plan, we will help you implement it. If you don't have a plan, we will help you make one," she said.
Gore said that the Anson County coordinator with 21st Century Communities is County Manager Andy Lucas. Her team is collecting data that will be posted on the county's Web site.
The N.C. Department of Commerce provides:- facilitation and direct assistance with planning
- assistance in identifying resources for specific projects
- priority to active 21st Century Communities when applying for grants.
Gore identified the issues as: - Visioning
- Economic Development
- Workforce Development
- Infrastructure
- Land Use
- Community Development and
- Education.
Gore said that education begins at birth and continues through the community college level.
Gore said that she will take the recently completed Sanford Holshouser economic development study and decide what needs to be done now and what can wait until later. A draft of the plan will be completed by the summer of 2008 and will be shared with the community for local input, after which it will be presented to the County Commissioners for adoption. "It will go from draft to adoption to implementation," she said.
Thompson, who co-chairs the Task Force, asked if the steering committee would be doing a community health assessment. Gore replied that Sanford Holshouser had already done that.
Thompson then asked if 21st Century Communities is a continuous program or if it ended after a period of time.
"It is what you make it," Gore replied. "Some counties in the first round are still tapping into resources. You just won't be at the top of the list. The goal is to give you a plan that you want to deal with, but we at the state level won't drop you out of the nest."
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Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministries announce new program
Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is now being offered by the Anson Parish Nurse and Health Ministries at Anson Community Hospital.
MNT is a service provided by a Registered Dietician (RD) to assist people in planning healthy, nutritious meals designed for their lifestyle, preferences and special needs. The program includes an individualized initial consultation to review the patient's medical history, eating and life-style habits. The new patient assessment typicaly takes 60 minutes and includes dietary modification strategies, behavior modification, goal setting, meal planning and recipes and other educational materials.
Outpatient MNT services are provided for such health conditions as diabetes, kidney disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, metabloic syndrome, pre-diabetes, celiac disease, obesity/weight management, food allergies and intolerances, pregnancy, eating disorders and GI disorders (ulcerative colitis, Chrohn's disease, IBS, diverticulitis, and gall bladder disease).
A doctor's order or referral is required for the outpatient service. When patients make their first appointment, they should bring their prescription or doctor's referral (can be faxed to 704.695.3371). They should also keep a food diary for two or three days and bring it with them. Patients with diabetes should bring their meter and log book. All patients should bring their medications and vitamin, mineral or herbal supplements that they are taking.
Patients should check with their insurance carrier regarding coverage for MNT. MNT and Diabetes Self-Management Training are included in Medicare benefits.
For more information, call 704.695.3233.
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Task Force hears about wound care center
 Hazel Seibles, program director for the The Sandhills Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine, was the guest speaker at the Healthy Ansonians Task Force meeting on Jan. 16.
Seibles said that 15-20% of patients suffering from a wound meet the criteria to be treated at the wound center's hyperbaric chamber. The hyperbaric chamber is a room pressurized with 100% oxygen.
"The pressure is like you get in an airplane or 30 feet below sea level," Siebles said. "It forces the oxygen to the tissue and lets the wound heal from the inside out."
Patients must wear 100% cotton clothing to prevent static and reduce the risk of a spark. Seibles said the procedure is very safe and there has never been an accident in the united States.
Patients are monitored visually and by voice communication, she said. Most are apprehensive during the first visit, waiting for "something to happen." Once they realize that there is no hands-on "treatment," most settle back to watch TV or sleep. Again, for safety's sake, the patient must ask an aide to change the channel from outside the chamber -- no remotes allowed.
Seibles said that another way of treating wounds is with a "wound vac." The machine sucks moisture from the wound, speeding granulation and allowing healing to take place. The equipment is very expensive and can only be leased, she said. It was noted that there is a wound vac in the Lillie Bennett Nursing Center.
Fred Thompson, PhD, CEO of Anson Community Hospital and co-chair of the task force, asked, "How long does a patient stay in the chamber?"
Seibles replied that a normal session is 90 minutes. Most insurance carriers will approve 30 sessions -- five sessions a week. If needed, an extension can be requested.
Thompson asked if the center treated only insured patients. Seibles said that the billing is handled through the hosptial and people are not turned away because they don't have insurance. "It is cheaper to treat them at this end than to pay for hospitalization and possibly amputation," she said.
Seibles noted that a patent can refer himself to the wound center, or be referred by his physician.
"It is very rewarding," Seibles said. She told of a patient who had suffered an unsightly wound for years and was unable to leave her house. After treatment, she has only one small sore on her leg, Seibles said. "Now she can go out in public."
For more information, call Seibles at 910.205.8629.
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Anson County restaurants going smoke-free
 On Jan. 16, the Anson Physical Activity and Nutrition (APAN) Coalition Sub-committee announced to members of the Healthy Ansonians Task Force that three more restaurants have become smoke-free – thanks to the Go Light intervention program.
Shirley Hardin, Anson County Health Department health educator, and Zana Lambert, manager of cardiopulmonary services at Anson Community Hospital, said The Hub, Burger King and East Wade Grill have become smoke-free and are eligible to display the Go Light emblem (a stoplight with the top circle crossing out a lit cigarette).
Hardin and Lambert also displayed a “Smoke-Free Dining in Anson County” poster that will help educate restaurant owners and managers on the benefits of a smoke-free environment for their diners and employees.
 The poster is on display at Anson Community Hospital, and will alternate between the hospital and the health department.
Anson County now has 15 restaurants that are smoke-free, including Arby’s, Bojangles, Burger King, Captain D’s, East Wade Grill, The Hub, Jade Kitchen, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, Papa Joe’s Pizzaria, Pizza Hut, Sonic Drive-in, both Subways and Wendy’s.
In addition to the Go Light emblem, smoke-free restaurants are presented a “Certificate of Appreciation for Proudly Supporting Smoke-Free Dining” from the health department.
In a press release, Hardin stated that she and Lambert are “currently in the midst of a campaign to educate business owners about tobacco smoke pollution and its effect on non-smokers, especially their employees and patrons.
“What we have shown the owners is that separate sections, and even expensive ventilation systems, do not provide one hundred percent protection,” she stated.
Hardin and Lambert provided Healthy Ansonians Task Force members with stickers that read: “I have a health concern. I like your restaurant but not the smoke. I’ll come back when it’s smoke-free”; and suggested handing them out at restaurants that are not smoke-free for diners and employees.
For more information on the program, call Hardin at 704.694.5188 or Lambert at 704.695.3484.
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More Anson children in quality child care
Parents of preschool children in Anson County have reason to celebrate. According to new data released by The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC), more families with young children have access to, and are participating in, high quality child care programs in Anson County. NCPC monitors and evaluates local and statewide progress annually. The latest data shows that Smart Start funded programs continue to improve the quality of child care in Anson County, thanks to the efforts of the Anson County Partnership for Children.
The number of Anson County children enrolled in high quality child care (programs with 4 or 5 stars) has increased 45% since 2001, reflecting an improvement in child care quality and an increase in the number of children enrolled in high quality programs. Currently, more than half (60%) of all Anson County children in child care are enrolled in the highest quality programs.
“This is really great news for the children of Anson County,” saidNCPC President Stephanie Fanjul. Not only are young children experiencing improved care, but families seeking child care are better able to find high quality programs.” The Anson County Partnership for Children actively works with child care programs throughout the county to improve the quality of child care by assessing center quality, recommending changes where needed and helping child care teachers continue their education. Elaine B. Scarborough, Executive Director of the Anson County Partnership for Children, says that the Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS) measures the effectiveness of the Partnership’s Smart Start funded programs. “The Partnership’s results reflect the efforts and commitment of the Partnership’s Board and staff members. It speaks to the mission of the Partnership, which is helping to make Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child.”
Results were in the High Performing category in the following areas: percentage of regulated child care spaces available for working families; percentage of children receiving subsidy in regulated child care programs; average star rating of child care facilities for all children, for subsidized children and for children with special needs. In addition, the results were in the High Performing category for the category of Early Intervention (Health) of children birth to two years of age and for children three to five years of age.
The data released in January is part of NCPC’s annual assessment of Smart Start progress. Collected annually since 2001, this data reflects continuous statewide improvement in child well-being. Smart Start is North Carolina’s early childhood leadership network dedicated to assuring that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared for success in a globally competitive world.
For more information contact Elaine B. Scarborough with Anson County Partnership for Children, ansoned@windstream.net or 704 694-4036.
This article is submitted by the Anson County Partnership for Children in collaboration with Healthy Ansonians.
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grants and community support, Camp Summer Breathe is able to provide necessary supplies and equipment to the children and give them the education to use them properly.