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The Manteo Healthcare Task Force delved into health statistics and a new program.

Starting off the task force’s May meeting was a presentation of the Dare County Community Health Needs Assessment.

Using the assessment’s summary booklet, Kelly Fleming, health education and outreach supervisor with Dare County Health and Human Services, quickly introduced task force members to Dare County demographics, health statistics, a priority 2024 watch list and the priorities selected by the Healthy Carolinians of the Outer Banks, one of four agencies collaborating to produce the Community Health Needs Assessment.

Those agencies are Outer Banks Health, Dare County Health and Human Services and East Carolina University Health Care System.

The top three selected priorities are mental health, substance abuse and access to healthcare. The watch list adds cancer – the leading cause of death in Dare County – as well as older adults, unintentional injuries, economy and health behaviors.

Task force chairman Malcolm Fearing zeroed in on the issue of access to healthcare, a primary concern of the task force. He asked for membership for the Manteo Task Force on the committee dealing with access.

Manteo commissioner Mike Basnight suggested designated locations for telemedicine, which could significantly increase access. Task force member Randy Fenninger asked for something specific for uninsured children. Some 11% of people under the age of 18 are uninsured compared to North Carolina at 5.2% and United States at 5.4%.

A presentation for Recovery Alliance Initiative covering southeastern counties in North Carolina briefed the task force on the long road to making an impact. The initiative has been underway for 10 years. After an assessment, a dashboard of what’s needed was created and the group is working to fill the gaps. The Manteo Task Force was invited to a September Summit meeting.

Dr. Chisom Atufunwa introduced Spring Life Behavior Care, LLC to the task force. The organization is looking to expand services to Dare County. Currently, the for-profit organization offers services in nine locations, including Roanoke Rapids, Ahoskie, Elizabeth City, Plymouth, Kinston, High Point, Creedmoor and Winston-Salem.

Out-patient services only are offered to lower income individual adults with Medicaid or uninsured. Services offered are substance abuse programs, counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation and peer support. Medications are available.

Asked about detox services, Atufunwa responded that the program is open to those adults who are functional.

Asked what’s needed to set up, Atufunwa responded “everything.” Specifically, he needs a commercial property with at least 2,000 square feet of space.

Fearing made a presentation about a statewide training program for physicians or health providers to serve in rural areas. Two years ago, the Manteo Task Force set up a recruitment program concentrating on bringing medical students to Dare and Hyde counties. The program was facilitated by Franklin Walker with the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation’s Community Health Initiative. The program is for all practices.

The three Community Health Centers are finding space for preceptors. This year, six students participated. Next year, 11 students will be on board. Jessica Parrish with the Community Health Center in Engelhard said that the students “really benefited” from the program.

The Manteo Community Health Center at 402 Budleigh Street in Manteo now has 1,500 clients, served by two full-time providers, a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner. The center has opened a pharmacy for its clients.

The task force approved two resolutions. The first was for Ronald A. Sloan, retiring from leading Outer Banks Health for 14 years. The second one celebrated the 20 years that Community Care Clinic of Dare County has served and is now serving citizens with primary care, oral health care, behavioral health services.

At the end of the meeting, Sheila Davies, director of the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, announced that department is funding five mental health counselors for Dare County Schools. The counselors will be departmental employees.

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