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Two regional health agencies with headquarters in
Branford rely on volunteers to provide support for their
professional staffs. The East Shore Regional Health
District serves the towns of Branford,
North Branford
and East Haven and
oversees a wide variety of programs from inspecting
beauty salons to monitoring mosquito populations to
organizing emergency preparedness teams. Harbor Health
Services provides a range of programs that help people
with mental health or substance abuse problems find
their way to recovery. It provides medical and
psychiatric care and social and vocational
rehabilitation. Clients from Branford, East Haven,
Guilford,
Madison, North Branford and North Haven
are eligible for outpatient and/or residential programs.
Both
of these agencies maintain helpful and extensive
websites which explain the scope and service of their
programs. Both agencies offer interesting and rewarding
opportunities for volunteers.
Jim
Monopoli, director of the ESDHD explains that an
emergency preparedness team has been trained to handle
public health emergencies resulting from bio-terrorism
or pandemic illness. People with or without medical
training are needed, on-going training is provided and
periodic drills are held. More than two hundred
volunteers have been trained in our tri-town district,
and two hundred more are ready to serve in the
Guilford/Madison area. According to Jim Monopoli this is
“nowhere near enough!” A widespread disaster would
require the help of all of these individuals, and more,
to provide inoculations and transportation and to
dispense information, antibiotics and other supplies.
The Health District also holds fall flu clinics in which
non-medical volunteers participate to register clients.
Information about getting involved is on the website or
just a phone call away.
Another of East Shore’s
services is the Senior Medical Ride Program. Volunteers
use their own cars, are reimbursed for mileage and are
covered by supplemental liability and medical expense
insurance. Seniors who have not been able to find other
transportation to medical appointments in the area from
New Haven to
Madison
can call for a ride with one week’s advanced notice
required. The autos and drivers are not trained or
equipped to transport wheelchair bound patients.
Volunteers often accompany patients to their
appointments, wait to take them home and enjoy a quiet
time of reading or knitting while waiting. ESDHD’s
brochure states that “a few hours from a cheerful
volunteer can make the difference between existing and
living.” If you want to help make such a difference, you
are needed!
Please contact coordinator Denise Smith.
Harbor Health Services operates with a volunteer Board
of Directors, some of whom have served more than twenty
years. Committees help with public relations,
development and event planning. Some volunteer help with
filing and accounting projects would be appreciated.
Volunteers are also needed to collect raffle
items and bingo prizes for fundraising and social
events. The clothing bank on Harrison Street is
managed by Harbor Health and staffed by volunteers.
A
barbecue to celebrate Mental Health month is planned for
May 29th from
3:00 – 5:00 at
13 Sycamore Way, Branford.
Please contact Emily Gangi if you would like to help
with cooking or serving.
East Shore District Health Department
14 Business Park Dr., Branford
Director Jim Monopoli 481-4233
Transportation Coordinator, Denise Smith
481-4235
Harbor Health Services,
13 Sycamore Way, Branford
Director of PR and Development, Emily Gangi
483-2667
X240
To access websites, simply search: ESDHD or Harbor
Health Services
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