AmeriCorps' ComCorps Program Nears Second Year

Contact: Kevin Sanders, writer/editor, at (740) 593-0896

ATHENS, Ohio (April 26, 2001) -- As it nears the end of its first year the AmeriCorps program, ComCorps, is fulfilling its goal of "getting things done, strengthening communities and developing leadership skills." ComCorps works with local agencies to promote health education, enhance disease prevention efforts and improve health-care access in local communities. The program is coordinated by Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's (OU-COM) Community Service Programs (CSP).

ComCorps' programmatic efforts are directed at five areas: dental health education, immunizations, infectious disease prevention, lice infestation prevention and the increase of enrollment in the Ohio Health Insurance for Children Program, Healthy Start. Healthy Start provides medical, dental and vision-care coverage for children 19 and under in families with incomes twice the poverty level and below.

Nancy Schell, CSP program coordinator for ComCorps, said the benefits to the community so far have exceeded initial hopes. Just seven months after it began in August 2000, the number of children being immunized increased from 88 last year to 406 this year and monthly absence rates in one area school decreased from 95 to 19 days over a three-month period, she said. ComCorps is currently recruiting members for next year.

Schell said ComCorps hopes to branch out into mental health, substance abuse and mentoring-type programs in the next year. They also plan to concentrate more on what each individual agency and school's needs are and to unify health programming in Athens County and eliminate repetition of programs.

ComCorps members work with several organizations: The Athens County Department of Job and Family Services; each of the five Athens County school systems; Tri-County Community Action Agency HeadStart; Athens County Children Services; Athens City-County Health Department; and the Athens County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, a federal supplemental food program.

Currently, 10 people are enrolled in ComCorps. Some are recent high school graduates, some are Ohio University graduates and some, like Lance Holton, are college graduates participating in the program to gain experience before graduate school. Holton plans on going to medical school.

Holton earned an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology, which he says taught him to love the philosophy of prevention-based health care. He wants to be an osteopathic doctor.

Holton, who works in the WIC program, does research and prepares and presents health presentations to children ages 3-12 on a variety of health topics and participates in anti-tobacco use school skits. He assists with WIC's breast-feeding focus group/research. He has been involved in collaborative projects involving all participating ComCorp agencies, in which he has assisted with vision, hearing and lice screenings in kindergarten. He said he feels extremely fortunate being in ComCorps.

"This has been an excellent opportunity for me to have one on one contact with members of the community," Holton said. "It has also allowed me to utilize much of what I have learned in the area of preventative medicine. ComCorps fits very well with this philosophy because the entire program is centered around early intervention and health education for kids."

ComCorp works closely with the medical school, participating in events that often overlap, he said, and the work he has done with children has made him consider going into pediatrics.

Cara Caven is still in college and the program is helping her fulfill an internship requirement of her health service administration and community health dual major.

Caven, who works with CSP, designs health information brochures as well as presents health information at community events. She is involved in local environmental and community service activities on special days, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and "Make a Difference Day." She also does blood pressure screenings at community malls.

"This experience has led me to many new things, and has only reinforced my desire to improve the health of the community," Caven said. "I enjoy what I do more and more every day, through learning about health concerns, issues and finding new resources to research and help Athens County improve its health status. Everyone who is a part of ComCorps works very hard and although not everyone is a health major or graduate, everyone seems to enjoy and benefit from the program."

Holton agreed.

"This has been an incredible and invaluable experience for me so far," said Holton. "It's an amazing feeling when you do something you genuinely enjoy and help others in the process."

ComCorps volunteers are eligible for an education award of $4,725, which can be used to pay off student loans. In addition to receiving a living allowance of $9,300, health insurance and possibly qualifying for child-care assistance, volunteers also may be eligible for deferment and forbearance on student loans during their service.

The program is open to those at least 17 years old and having at least a high school diploma or GED. Members must commit to a year's service, with the possibility of another year.

"This program is a great resume builder and networking tool for anyone in the fields of health education and social work, not to mention that it's a great way to give back to the community," Schell said.

ComCorps is accepting applications for 13 slots that will be open starting Aug. 1, 2001. Those interested in applying should contact Nancy Schell at (740) 593-2293 or via e-mail at schelln@ohio.edu. For more information about the program log on to the World Wide Web at www.oucom.ohiou.edu/csp. Applications can be downloaded from www.americorps.org.

ComCorps is funded by an $80,000 one-year grant from AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is a "Domestic Peace Corps" program, which began in 1994. More than 150,000 members have served in the program. OU-COM has partnered with AmeriCorps since the program began, providing health services and education to the people of rural Southeastern Ohio.