In January 2000, a group of community stakeholders identified three priority health issues for Barrry County:
 | Access to Quality Health Care |
| Substance Abuse |
| Violence in the home, school, and community |
Click here to download a copy of a summary report on the Barry Health Assessment Initiative.
During 2000, a group of community members developed a plan that begins to address the issue of Access to Quality Health Care. The plan defined the issue and identified ways the community can begin to improve access to quality health care. To view the plan, click here.
The group determined the first thing that needed to be done to address the issue of Access, was to ensure the community was informed of services available. Two projects have been launched aimed at increasing access to information in Barry County.
In Touch with Community Resources is an on-line database users can search to find information on resources available in the community. Over 450 agencies are listed in the database. This project is sponsored by the Barry Community Resource Network and staffed by the Health Department.
Access-2-1-1 is a workgroup that was launched as a result of the workplan recommendations to explore the option of establishing and information and referral telephone system for Barry County. Currently, the group is researching ways to bring 2-1-1 service to Barry County. 2-1-1 is a three-digit number people can dial to get connected to community resources. People who call 2-1-1 will speak to an Information and Referral Specialist who can help them identify the services that best meet their needs. To get involved in this initiative, contact Colette Scrimger at 517-541-2602.
A workgroup was formed in 2000 to further examine the issue of Substance
Abuse in Barry County and identify strategies for addressing the issue. To view the plan,
click
here.
The group recommended two issues be addressed:
Substance Abuse prevention for the young adult population (18 -25 years)
An assessment of the substance abuse treatment system in Barry County
Barry County Substance Abuse Services have taken leadership on implementing a prevention campaign for the target audience. For more information contact Brian Shumway at bjs@iserv.net .
Barry County Substance Abuse, Barry County Mental Health, and the Health Department have take joint leadership in facilitating an assessment of substance abuse treatment services and developing a plan for a continuum of care for Barry County. A workgroup is currently meeting to identify resources and develop strategies. Contact Colette Scrimger for more information.
In the summer of 2001, a Youth Violence Prevention and Intervention Assessment was conducted in Barry County through the Barry Community Foundation. To view the executive summary from the assessment, click here.
Currently, community members are in the process of coordinating plans for implementating the recommendations from the assessment. For more information contact Bonnie Ballinger at bcf@wmis.net.
