With $787 billion worth of stimulus money up for grabs, citizens and organizations in Athens are hoping to share in the wealth.
More than 100 requests have been made in Athens as of March 6, ranging from educational programs to improving infrastructure.
O'Bleness Memorial Hospital hopes to update its system electronically by adding the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to their repertoire and are requesting $500,000 of the stimulus money for implementation.
Kristine Barr, vice president of Information Management at O'Bleness, filed the request, stating, Not implementing an EMR threatens the very existence of this facility
the provision of health care in this community and jobs of over 400 employees.
EMR puts all patient records into electronic format and provides a single location for all documentation which adds up to higher quality care. It becomes a win-win situation for the patient and the provider said Barr.
To remain the health-care provider of first choice in this community
we want to ensure we are doing everything possible to continue improving the quality of care we provide
Barr added.
Education
Among the many requests in Athens County, one specifically supports the quality of education in the area.
The Athens Alternative Education Program has requested $900,000 from the stimulus package in order to support their existing programs, said Claudia Shealy, director for Special Education for the Athens-Meigs Education Service Center.
The Athens Alternative Education Program's purpose is to help at-risk students in the Athens area continue their education and graduate high school. It services students in grades 7-12.
The stimulus money could make the difference between the ability to keep our doors open
Shealy said.
State grants, the AMESC and the participating schools districts, which have all been forced to make cuts, fund the program's budget.
The request was made by Carl Martin, superintendent of Athens City Schools, which is one of four school systems in the area that participate in the Alternative Education Program. The other schools include Alexander, Federal-Hocking and Nelsonville Schools.
Martin, in the request, states that the current program has been identified as a model program and support funding is necessary to attain Gov. (Ted) Strickland's educational goals.
We would like to build more facilities that would support the educational programs in place
support our services and improve the quality of service
said John Costanzo, superintendent for the AMESC.
The stimulus money could also potentially create 30 more jobs in the Athens area.
Two types of jobs factor into this estimation: jobs to build new facilities and job to maintain them
Costanzo said. There is also potential for additional personnel and support staff for the school.
Abuse
My Sister's Place, an organization that assists local women coping with domestic violence, is requesting a total of $125,000 in stimulus funds from the package.
The organization hopes to receive funding for a Domestic Violence Intervention program, as well as a project titled Safety Planning with My Sister's Place.
The two programs we are requesting funds for were programs that previously had funding but lost it
said Kate McGuckin, executive director of My Sister's Place, adding, The demand for our services has increased by 130 percent
and I think the current economic climate has affected that to some degree.
The Domestic Violence Intervention Program will provide direct intervention for 30 families in Athens and other surrounding counties who are experiencing domestic violence at home, she added.
Services would include counseling for perpetrators mandated by the court and an intensive case management program focusing on providing independent living skills.
The Safety Planning project will reinstate satellite-counseling offices in Hocking and Vinton counties. There is a special need for programs like this in rural Appalachia, as women in these isolated areas face difficulties that other women do not, McGuckin said.
The ability to help people who need our services has diminished at a time when it is needed most. A safe child requires a healthy mother
