Montgomery County Health Needs Assessment

What does Montgomery County need when it comes to the community, health care and other areas? That’s the big question behind a short assessment survey residents are being asked to complete anonymously online or on paper – Click HERE to access the Montgomery County Health Needs Assessment.

Printed surveys, titled “2012 Community Health Assessment,” are available at Montgomery County Health Department and at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville. Additional locations will be announced at later times.

In addition,  about 3,000 surveys will be mailed to homes for mail return. Posters with information on the survey will be distributed throughout the community. (For a PDF of the poster, please click HERE.)

“Results [from this survey] will be used to create a plan to better meet the health needs identified by residents,” said Tom Peck, executive director of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville. “When we compile the results of the assessment, we’ll know what service gaps and needs we may have.”

Announced at a news conference at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville on March 21, the assessment is being spearheaded by the Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville. The survey will meet key federal requirements of recent health care legislation. Results from the survey will be shared with city and county government agencies, as well as area non-profit agencies.

Recently a similar health needs assessment was conducted in Lafayette. You can see the results of this assessment by downloading a PDF of the report – Tippecanoe County Health Needs Assessment. Pauline Shen, from the Tippecanoe County Health Department, who prepared that report, worked with local health care professionals and community leaders to design this survey tool which is unique to Montgomery County.

Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton, spoke in support of the survey and encouraged residents to take part. “A high level of participation is needed from every segment of our community. I would encourage the people of this community to participate in this survey.”

While the survey will help meet regulations, it will also help the community to be eligible for grants and other services. “This also gives us an idea on what the issues are and what needs are not being met,” said Barton.

The Montgomery County Health Department is playing a key role in the assessment. Shari Harrington noted, “We want to know the highs and the lows, and we want to take the pulse of the community. The more responses, the better our data, and the better we will be able to understand and fulfill our residents’ needs.

An important part of the survey focuses on health issues, Harrington said. “What concerns do our residents have? Substance abuse? Mental health? Chronic disease? We’re also looking at health-related services, such as affordable eye care and medication programs, prenatal care, tobacco cessation programs. The survey is an open book for residents to express concerns and share needs. What we learn will make a big difference in our community’s ability to provide what’s needed.

“We want many, many people to complete the survey,” Harrington continued. “It takes just a few minutes to complete. We’re making a big push to get people to respond. It is time well-spent to make our community even better than it already is.”

The survey can be found online at the following locations:

• Montgomery County Health Needs Assessment web site: www.tinyurl.com/montg4u
• Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville: www.ste.org
• Montgomery County Community Foundation: www.mccf.org/
• Montgomery County Health Department/County Government: www.montgomeryco.net
• Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce: www.crawfordsvillechamber.com

About Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville

Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville is a 120-bed hospital with both in-patient and out-patient services. Celebrating more than 100 years of service to the community, we provide dedicated outpatient women’s services, a fully-staffed emergency department, extensive radiology, therapy services, orthopedics, cancer care and geriatric behavioral health. Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health – Crawfordsville also owns Athens Medical Group and the St. Clare Medical Group.