Greetings partners and residents,
As we move into the summer of 2021, we look forward to continuing working with our partners and engaging new ones throughout our service area. We are also excited to announce a new federal grant from HRSA that will engage our network members, partners, and new stakeholders to complete a telehealth needs assessment for the region (join us, more information below).
As we continue to implement programs and provide services, Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network (LORHN) remains committed to supporting and improving the health and safety of our communities. LORHN staff is here to help individuals, and community partners, connect with the resources they need.
We continue to work closely with our Network members and partners to provide information and link individuals with organizations and services they need; we are continuing to follow these guidelines:
- Maintain consistent communication with community partners to provide timely information, education and support.
- Offer all LORHN health education workshops via Zoom, at varying times and days of the week to meet the schedule and demands of our communities.
- Provide education and training via virtual meetings with local and regional partners.
- Keep our fingers on the pulse of emerging needs and trends to guide future network and project planning.
Be well and stay safe,
Andrea Stephenson Royster
Chief Executive Officer
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Telehealth Needs Assessment for
Lake Okeechobee Communities
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LORHN has been awarded a $100,000 Rural Health Network Planning Grant from the US. Human Resource Service Administration (HRSA) to conduct a telehealth needs assessment for Western Palm Beach (the Glades), Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee counties. The assessment will include various healthcare providers and stakeholders from each community, as well as input from residents. The 12-month project will culminate with a completed Telehealth Needs Assessment, marketing plan, and business plan for the Network and its members. LORHN will be identifying partners and stakeholders to join the Telehealth Advisory Group; contact us if you would like to be involved. |
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Screening & Linkage for Social Determinants of Health |
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LORHN continues to serve Glades residents via a screening assessment in the Unite Us platform (thank you, Health Care District) to identify what needs clients may have and work with them one-on-one to set and meet personal goals that can lead to improvement in their health and quality of life.
These may include but are not limited to establishing a medical home, enrolling in health insurance, housing, employment services, migrant farmworker resources, veteran resources, discounted medication, or getting durable medical equipment or supplies, etc.
Thank you to community partners that have agreed to provide space for LORHN to provide these services to Glades residents: Conviva Care Center Everglades, Pahokee Housing Authority, Noah's Ark Child Development Center, South Bay Villas, L.O.T. Health Services, Quiet Waters, and others.
If you know someone who may benefit from these services, contact LORHN's Community Health Advocate directly via call or text (863) 532-3059.
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Opioid Data to Action (OD2A) |
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The opioid epidemic continues to affect individuals and families and take the lives of Palm Beach County residents. LORHN's team aims to educate and support individuals and families negatively impacted by opioid-related disorders.
Our Community Health Advocate continues to serve residents of the Glades, providing:
- opioid-related prevention education
- risk-reduction activities
- linkage to community partners
- link and/or re-link individuals into treatment and support services
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Virtual Health Education Workshops |
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LORHN continues to provide our health education workshops throughout our service region. Workshops are provided as series, offered free of charge to all, and participants that complete them receive a certificate and other items from LORHN. Available educational workshops include:
"Your Health Matters"
A 3-week series that teaches participants how to navigate the healthcare system, where to go for healthcare needs (ER vs Urgent Care vs Primary Care), how to communicate with healthcare providers, understanding medications and how to use them, healthy eating and staying healthy.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) &
Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP)
These evidence-based workshops are a 6-week series and provide participants with skills, knowledge, and self-management tools to manage their chronic (physical and mental) conditions as well as Type 2 Diabetes. Participants will receive a copy of Living A Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions and a meditation CD.
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***NEW*** Mental Health First Aid (Adult) |
In May 2021, LORHN staff became certified leaders to facilitate in-person and virtual Mental Health First Aid training and will be offering the class to rural residents.
Mental Health First Aid teaches how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
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Health Insurance for the Whole Family |
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Enrollment for Adults (18+) |
Under the American Rescue Plan for COVID-19 CMS has extended opportunities to enroll in health insurance; the deadline to apply is August 15, 2021.
- Any consumer eligible to use the marketplace can enroll
- The effective date is the 1st of the month after plan selection
- No qualifying event is necessary
Contact us today to refer a family to us for free help, ask a question, set up an appointment, or get resources to share.
LORHN staff can also assist with Medicaid and Florida KidCare applications. We refer any clients with Medicare enrollment or questions to their local SHINE counselor. |
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LORHN Community Resource Guides |
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These guides were created to share information with rural residents to increase their awareness of existing resources within their community. If you believe your organization should be listed here, please contact us. Click each resource guide to download the PDF version. |
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We Can Do This
COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign
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The HHS COVID-19 public education campaign is a national initiative to increase public confidence in and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures such as mask-wearing and social distancing. |
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The National Institute of Health (NIH) has developed infographics that explain exactly what is and isn't in the COVID-19 vaccines. |
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Rural News Articles & Resources |
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Faith in Recovery Coalition Offers Hope for Opioid Use Disorder in Ohio
The Rural Monitor
June 9, 2021
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The Future of Rural Libraries Could Be Healthcare
The Daily Yonder
June 8, 2021
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Vaccinating Rural America: Q&A with Dr. Amanda Cohn
The Rural Monitor
May 12, 2021
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Upcoming Webinars & Professional Trainings |
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2021 Florida Asthma Coalition Summit; Resiliency in the face of COVID-19
July 30, 2021
Florida Asthma Coalition
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Public Health Reimagined Virtual Annual Education Conference
July 13 & 14, 2021
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Florida Public Health Association
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Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Maternal Health Care
**Education Credits Available**
2-hour e-learning course
Office of Minority Health
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Virtual Conference: Healthcare Without Borders - Equity, Integration, and Innovation
July 19 & 20, 2021
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Florida Association of Community Health Centers
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2021 Community Health Institute & Expo
August 22-24, 2021
Orlando, FL
National Association of Community Health Centers
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Annual Florida Hospital Association Meeting
October 6-8, 2021
Florida Hospital Association
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Sign up for LORHN's bi-weekly distribution of the GrantStation Insider Content e-newsletter or view LORHN's GrantStation Insider Content e-newsletter archive page for previous funding opportunities.
Local Grants
Almost 70 percent of Glades Electric Cooperative members participate in Operation Round-Up, which helps people in GEC's service area who have exhausted normal avenues of financial assistance. The fund is for deserving individuals and organizations. If you know of people who need and deserve assistance and live within the Glades Electric service area (Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee counties), encourage or help them to complete an application.
Assistance Available: electrical, water, rental/mortgage, gasoline, medical, transportation to medical services, food, HVAC Repair (60+), family self-sufficiency and more.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that assists high-energy burdened, low-income households with the costs of heating and cooling their homes. Home energy funds are provided once per calendar year and are based on the client’s gross income and household size. ALPI’s focus of CSBG funding is to support a Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSSP); however, there are limited emergency assistance funds available to help alleviate an immediate crisis. Under the FSSP, an eligible client is provided services through ongoing case management with the ultimate outcome being the enhancement of a family’s ability to, ultimately, meet their own needs. Apply online.
Regional Grants
Loan repayment assistance for nursing personnel who agree to serve in areas of Florida where there are critical nursing shortages. Deadline: September 1, 2021
Federal Grants
This funding opportunity aims to eligible entities to provide planning support, technical assistance, and training to foster placemaking activities in rural communities. Qualified entities can use the funds to help rural communities create plans to enhance capacity for broadband access; preserve cultural and historic structures; and support the development of transportation, housing, and recreational spaces. Due: July 26, 2021
USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees provide financing for telephone and broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Funds may be used to finance broadband-capable telecommunications services, including improvements, expansions, construction, acquisitions, and refinancing. Applications accepted year-round
Learn about Federal Grant forecasted, posted, and archived grants available via various Federal Government Programs. Grants Learning Center provides information about eligibility, writing, reporting, policies, systems, and more.
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Western Palm Beach
P.A.T.C.H.
3rd Tuesday of each month
9:00 am - 10:45 am
Hendry & Glades
Community Collaborative Meetings
1st Friday of each month
8:30 am - 11:30 a
Hendry, Okeechobee, Glades Opioid Consortium (HOGOC)
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Okeechobee
Community Collaborative Council
Contact: TBD
4th Tuesday of each month
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Martin County
InterAgency Coalition
2nd Wednesday of each month
8:30 am - 10:00 am
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Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network, Inc. (LORHN) was formed in 1994 as a non-profit corporation designed to provide for the special and specific health-related needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in the Lake Okeechobee area; with extended services to Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee, Western Martin, and Western Palm Beach counties.
LORHN was established through Florida legislation (Statute 381.0406) and is one of nine local rural health networks covering the state of Florida. As per Florida statute, the goal of the networks shall be to ensure that quality health care is available and efficiently delivered to all persons in rural areas. Our vision is to promote/provide for the special and specific health needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in the Lake Okeechobee area.
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LAKE OKEECHOBEE RURAL HEALTH NETWORK | 888-880-8242 | www.LORHN.org
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