United Way of Knox County, Ohio Inc
Update for the Week of May 11, 2020
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Your support during the COVID-19 pandemic—volunteering, donating, staying home, self-isolating—makes a difference.
We are working with community partners to stepping-in to help those who need it most in our community.
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Knox Pages prepared an article highlighting how the Kenyon Community is actively supporting community recovery. With comments from students, Kenyon's Office for Community Partnerships, and United Way, the article highlights how the students and staff came together to support Knox County by supporting United Way's COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery efforts.
Read the full article online.
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At this time, United Way of Knox County will continue to serve the Knox County community with staff working remotely. Please call our office at 740.397.5721 to learn how to reach staff directly or email
liveunited@uwayknox.org
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Emergency Food and Shelter Funds Available
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The Knox County Commissioners and United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc partner in leading the
Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board in Knox County, which supports the community in allocating Federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The EFSP Board has announced an application for Phase 37 and Phase CARES allocations. The application can be accessed
through the United Way website or by contacting the Board of Knox County Commissioners. The deadline for applications to be received is 4 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2020.
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Mother's Day was Sunday (May 10), this week (May 10-17) is National Women's Health Week, and today (May 11) is National Women's Check-Up Day. This is a special week for women and an appropriate time to highlight needs in Knox County.
The Knox County
Community Health Assessment 2018 shared that 43% of Knox County women ages 40 and over had a mammogram in the past year, 59% of women had a Pap smear in the past three years, and only 34% of women had a Pap smear in the past year. These statistics indicate that women in Knox County are under-served in this respect. The 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reported that 82% of Ohio and 80% of U.S. women ages 21-65 had a Pap smear in the past three years.
In Knox County, United Way helps support women's well visits and preventative health services to women through Partner Agency Kno-Ho-Co Ashland Community Action Commission's program Women's Reproductive Health Screening. Women residing in Knox County age 21 years and older who are uninsured or under insured access care at the Health Services Clinic located at 69 Sychar Road in Mount Vernon or the Danville Sanctuary located in Danville, Ohio.
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Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Health Services stressed the important of self care and preventative care with their clients. “First-Take Care of Yourself.” Often times, Women put their needs last. Whether it’s their health, financial, spiritual, and emotional needs; Women are always tending to those they love first. The clinic strives to take care of the physical wellness needs first and then focus on mental and emotional needs. If you are not physically healthy first; your mental and emotional health will not flourish and provide the full round support needed to create a most healthful individual. Health Services works with clients to help them understand the importance of routine health maintenance as it relates to their reproductive and overall wellbeing.
Comprehensive Health Exams provided by an on-site Nurse Practitioner include Breast Pap and Pelvic exams, Blood Pressure and Weight screening, Blood Test Screenings for abnormal conditions, including, Thyroid / FSH / Vitamin deficiencies / Hep B/C, Glucose, Lipids), mammograms, and referrals if applicable. They work closely with local hospital and health department staff, as well as, other social service programs to meet other needs revealed during the wellness visit. The program serves 130-150 women annually and continues to serve the community through this time of uncertainty and high need.
In March, a young woman visited the clinic. She was experiencing severe abdominal pain. Her employment was temporarily on hold due to the Corona Virus (COVID19).
She was seen by a clinician without rising her concern for affording healthcare services due to the Women's Reproductive Health Screening program.
Clinical examination indicated a possible cyst on one of her ovaries. The clinician immediately sent her for an ultrasound, which confirmed the clinical diagnosis. The patient agreed to begin hormonal contraception to eliminate the possibility of further cysts from developing. She is now under the care of the clinician and is being monitored.
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The health services staff are equipped to provide comprehensive reproductive health care Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm. In addition to Health Screenings, the office offers all FDA approved forms of Contraception, including, IUDs/Nexplanon; Pregnancy Testing and Referral; STI Testing and Treatment; Hormone Replacement Therapy, and Multi-Vitamins.
Those interested in scheduling appointments to call 740-397-0145 during office hours. During the COVID-19 status, the office is requiring clients to come into the clinic alone. If they have other support with them, they are asked to wait outside the facility in their car.
The office is able to assist the reproductive health needs of any individual over the age of 13. Because they receive direct funding through the Ohio Department of Health, there are strict guidelines that must be followed as a Title X Family Planning Program including reporting guidelines for any suspect of Abuse among Minors. In addition, Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Health Services does not provide Abortion services. They are a preventative health clinic; therefore, urge Adolescents and Women of reproductive age to either use abstinence or a reliable form of contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. They counsel Adolescents to prepare a Reproductive Life Plan and discuss Family Involvement. The Reproductive Life Plan covers their Mental and Physical health and wellbeing.
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Together,
Summercamp production company and United Way Worldwide have made a new resource available to you at home.
Everyone's at Home is a children’s story about a dog who is stuck at home with it’s family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Times are difficult right now, and the book has been shared as a source of entertainment for families and children, as well as a tool to talk about how the dealing with difficult situation created by the pandemic. Reviewed by a child psychiatrist, the book provide a simple and fun way to approach for families to talk to kids about COVID-19. Download a pdf copy for
free at this link.
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Story Time with Imagination Library
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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an Education Initiative of United Way of Knox County with generous partnership from: AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Post 95, Ariel Corporation, Ariel Foundation, Central Ohio Technical College, First-Knox National Bank. Kenyon College, Joe and Krys Mortellaro, Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon Ohio, Knox County Foundation, Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), Rotary Club of Mount Vernon, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Huprich, Psi Iota Xi-Knox County, Ohio, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Sara Mankins, The Energy Cooperative, and Knox County parents and grandparents
This free book program is for all Knox County children under age five - no other qualifications required. Books are mailed directly to your home each month. Register your child today using the tool available on
our website
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Prevention Happens Here with KSAAT
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National Prevention Week takes place May 10 to 16. Our local Knox Substance Abuse Action Team not only helps align efforts of community agencies providing prevention programs, but also calls community attention to those efforts.
Knox County organizations and individuals are participating in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awareness campaign #PreventionHappensHere.
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Highlighting Mental Health in May
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The month of May National Mental Health Month. Mental Health Awareness includes both community needs and self aw
areness.
Do you know the signs of stress? Do you know when stress starts to negatively affect you? If you are experiencing any of these signs, it could be time to reach out for help.
Community Partners and Local Providers specializing in providein mental health services are available to assist those in need. The
FindTreatment.Gov resource provides contact information for local resources available including our Partner Agencies Behavioral Healthcare Partners and Freedom Center.
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Physical distancing and stay-at-home orders make our Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) program temporarily unavailable, but free tax support is still available. United Way partners with H&R Block to provide free online tax preparation to every household with a simple return. Complete your 2019 Federal and State Tax return from the comfort and safety of your home.
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Prescriptions and Grocery Delivery Available
United Way of Knox County supports the partnership between Knox Area Transit and the Knox County Community Chaplains group to provide medication and grocery delivery service to seniors and those with at-risk medical conditions in Knox County.
Susie Simpson, Knox County Mobility Manager is taking phone calls and arranging for deliveries Monday through Saturday, from 7 A.M. to 6 P.M., and Sunday from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. Community members can reach out to Ms. Simpson at 740-485-5002 requesting food and prescription transportation assistance, wellness checks, information, or homemade personal protective equipment.
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FamilyWize Prescription Savings Cards
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Cards can be used by anyone to receive a discount on prescriptions! When someone calls in to get a script filled or refilled, they can ask that the FamilyWize discount be applied by providing them the following information that is on the card and found online. Since FamilyWize does not require registration, there is no need for to physically show the pharmacy a card.
Additional details are on our website.
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United States Census 2020
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Every response matters! The Census data is used to determine: School lunches, Plans for highways, Support for firefighters and families in need, and so much more in our community.
Learn more about the census online.
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The Federal and Ohio tax deadlines are extended to July 15. However, it may be advantage to file early and make sure that Economic Impact Payments are accurate and delivered directly to the correct bank account.
File for free online.
Many individuals who do not usually file taxes - including Eligible Social Security recipients, railroad retirees - are not required to file a return or provide further information. For other non-filers, The IRS needs information on how they can deliver this money. This can be
submitted to the IRS free of charge.
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There are several ways to access free confidential assistance to community resources or referrals:
CALL: 2-1-1, 345-HELP, or 1-800-544-1601
TEXT: your zip code to 898211
VISIT: 211pathways.org
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Resources
for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Medical Questions about COVID-19, Call 740-399-8014
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Physical volunteer opportunities are limited at this time. Instead, we encourage community members to adhere to the stay-at-home instruction from the state of Ohio and to make an impact from the comfort of their home.
Once the order has been listed, additional volunteer opportunities will be shared.
We aim to make United Way activities a reflection of Knox County's priorities. We rely on community volunteers to lead the process, we strive to LIVE UNITED.
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Local Health Officials Are Seeking Donations For Use In Knox County
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American Red Cross Blood Drives
Public Health is currently a large concern. Cancelled appointments and drives put the country at risk for a blood shortage. Healthy eligible donors are encouraged to give back to their community by donating blood.
May 14 from 11-5 at the Memorial Building at 112 East High Street in Mount Vernon
May 19 from 1-6 at Gay Street United Methodist Church at 18 North Gay Street in Mount Vernon
May 21 from 10-4 at the Memorial Building at 112 East High Street in Mount Vernon
May 28 from 12-5 at Kenyon College in Gambier
To schedule a local appointment at
RedCrossBlood.org and enter a Knox County Zip Code, or you can schedule using the free Red Cross blood donor app on a smart phone or tablet. Every whole blood donation can help save the lives of 3 patients!
Volunteer to Help at a Blood Drive
Contact Becky at Becky.Glass@RedCross.org for detailed volunteer selection information.
Volunteer to Help American Red Cross provide Disaster Relief Services
The American Red Cross is looking for local volunteers that would be willing to help provide local disaster relief services. In addition, they are also looking for 'HELP FROM HOME" volunteers to help with volunteer support. All required training and resources will be
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Medical Volunteers Needed
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Support Local High School Students
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This has been a difficult school year for our students. The Class of 2020 faces uncertainty of postponed, virtual, or canceled high school graduations. Local efforts were created to honor our county's graduating seniors.
The Facebook group "Adopt a 2020 Senior" invites locals to "adopt" a high school senior by sending a letter, a card, or a kind word to help support them through this emotional time.
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United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc., 305 East High Street, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
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