Donation aids school clinic

HOPE – The Hope High School Health Clinic has received a donation of equipment and furnishings from an Arkansas faith-based non-profit organization which specializes in finding and filling needs for emergency relief and public healthcare clinics.\r\n

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The CURE (Compassionate Utilization of REsources) program in Fort Smith made the recent donation of a U-Haul type truck load of office equipment, office furnishings, and medical examination furnishings to the HHS clinic, Gretchen Carlton, clinic director said.\r\n

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Carlton accompanied the donation shipment from Fort Smith to Hope, working with CURE board members Ron Moreton, Ron Hamilton, and Matt Griffin, of Fort Smith. She said she worked extensively through Griffin and Hamilton.\r\n

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“These are the gentlemen who worked with me to locate the items we could use, and had it ready for us to pick up,” Carlton said. “Because of their generous donation, we will be able to use our funds to obtain additional specialty equipment. They worked diligently with me to get as much as they could off my wish list.”\r\n

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CURE primarily warehouses and sorts donated items such as staple foods, bedding, household supplies for trans-shipment to areas of need in times of natural disasters, according to the organization’s website.\r\n

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“They truly went above and beyond, and I would love to see our community members return the favor,” Carlton said. “They take all types of donations of office equipment, medical equipment, school equipment; they just asked that it be in good working condition.”\r\n

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The organization has also taken on a medical support program.\r\n

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“CURE acquires medical supplies and equipment for medical mission efforts throughout the world,” the website states.\r\n

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The organization was established as a non-profit corporation in 1996 in response to relief efforts from a devastating tornado that hit Fort Smith in April, 1996. The group has since 2011 aided in the equipping of some 24 school based health centers across Arkansas, most of which are in rural areas of the state.\r\n

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Carlton said local donors who wish to contribute items or monetary support to CURE may contact her at gretchen.carlton@hpsdistrict.org online for information regarding CURE contacts.\r\n

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The HHS school based clinic was given approval by the Arkansas Department of Education in June for a $500,000 start-up grant, which is intended to establish and stabilize operations of the health center over a five year grant period.\r\n

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The initial $150,000 of the grant announced in June is to be used for the renovation of the former Consumer and Family Sciences “cottage” on the HHS campus for conversion into the health center site. Funding for such clinics has been created through a $2 million annual set-aside of tobacco excise tax monies collected by the state. The HPSD will undertake the cost of continuing operations after the fifth year of service, according to Hope Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart.\r\n

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Some furnishings and equipment have also been donated by Wadley Regional Medical Center-Hope.\r\n

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The renovation plan calls for remodeling to provide for a reception area, waiting area, up to five exam rooms, restrooms, offices, laboratory, secured storage, break room, and conference room.\r\n

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The health center is designed provide both physical and mental health components including immunizations, wellness visits, athletics physicals, acute care, vision exams, dental exams, health education, and training about preventative health, as well as mental assessments, referrals, counseling, and medication management.\r\n

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Partnerships with Dr. Ladell Douglas, of Hope, and with Arkansas Counseling and Pyschodiagnostics are designed to provide professional health services on a regular basis on site.\r\n

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Operations are expected to begin in 2019.\r\n