We are delighted to share an update on the advancements of our community health improvement plan, which centers on the critical areas of mental health, prenatal care, and substance misuse.

Throughout 2023, we collaborated closely with local healthcare providers, community organizations, and partners to craft a comprehensive strategy tailored to meet the distinct health requirements of our community.

Mental Health

Our mental health initiatives have included the expansion of mental health services and resources, including expanding Mobile Crisis and creating a wrap-around network. We have also expanded training programs for our community on best practices for identifying and providing support mental health conditions. Specific progress on each program can be found by navigating to Progress Made in 2023 sections at the links below:

•    New Build Wrap-Around Connected Services Network
•    Ongoing Mobile Crisis
•    New Youth Mental Health Programs

Prenatal Care

In the area of prenatal care, we have worked to improve access to care and resources for pregnant individuals in our community. This has included the establishment of pregnancy and breastfeeding support groups, the distribution of educational materials on healthy pregnancy practices, and the expansion of resources for pregnant individuals. Specific progress on each program can be found by navigating to Progress Made in 2023 sections at the links below:

•   New Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Support Groups
•   New Youth Support Group

Substance Misuse

Finally, we have made significant progress in our efforts to address substance misuse in our community. We have established partnerships with local organizations to increase awareness of the dangers of substance misuse and to improve access to substance misuse treatment and recovery programs. We have also expanded public awareness campaigns on the importance of safe storage and disposal of prescription medications. Specific progress on each program can be found by navigating to Progress Made in 2023 sections at the links below:

•    Ongoing Expand Naloxone Program
•    Ongoing Talk it Up! Lock it Up! Lock Your Meds Campaign

We are proud of the progress we have made so far and remain committed to working with our community partners to ensure that all individuals in our community have access to the resources and support they need to achieve optimal health and well-being.

The following provide details on the morbidity and mortality changes for Polk County in 2023:

• NC Opioid Dashboard

  • Rate of Drug overdose ED visits in 2023 was 111.0 (rate per 100,000 residents. Number of ED visits= 23)

• RWJF County Health Rankings

  • Polk County ranked 14th in health outcomes. (measuring length of life and quality of life)

These are the new or emerging issues in our community in 2023 that were not identified as priorities in our CHA:

• Rising cases of communicable disease related to drug use
• Health equity
• Affordable and accessable childcare
• Housing
• Elder abuse
• Food cost
• Transportation
• Long COVID
• Increase in vaping in our youth

The following are new initiatives or changes in our community in 2023:

New Initiatives 

• During Holy Week 2023, Mental Health Stations of the Cross engaged the community, fostering awareness and reducing stigma.
• Polk County High School benefited from an additional school-based counselor, enhancing mental health support.
• Polk County Schools secured a Safe Schools Grant, facilitating the hiring of an extra social worker for student well-being.
• The HOP program commenced on March 1st, offering vital mental health services in Polk County.
• WithAll facility hosted Resilience Training from January 24th to January 26th, empowering individuals with mental health skills.
• Tony Hoffman's impactful speech at the #StandbymePolk event on mental health and substance misuse, coupled with community trainings, enriched Polk County's approach to mental wellness.
• Polk County Senior Services expanded their team with a dedicated social worker to address geriatric mental health concerns.
• The Parent Advisory Council by Innovative Approaches provided parents with invaluable support and skills to navigate mental health challenges.
• Pavillon organized multiple self-care workshops, fostering mental wellness among community organizations.
• The Telehealth Pilot Program kicked off with Polk HHSA collaborating with RHA and Vaya, deploying iPads to staff for mobile crisis interactions in the field.
• Polk HHSA secured a $100,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust to advance Health Equity initiatives in the county.
• Innovative Approaches introduced a sensory tent, aiding students dealing with trauma, ADHD, and other behavioral challenges, available for use by various organizations.
• Blue Ridge Community Health enhanced their services by adding a psychiatric nurse practitioner to their team on a weekly basis, bolstering mental health support.
• Polk County Health and Human Services Agency partnered with Sunrise Community and Dogwood to increase Naloxone supply in Polk County.
• Polk County obtained a $300,000 Opioid Planner Grant from Dogwood Health Trust, aiding in the organization of the state opioid response grant.
• A Professional Foster Care House was established in Saluda, providing specialized care for foster children.
• Tailored Care Management initiative was launched, catering to individualized care needs in the community.
• St. Luke's Hospital upgraded its equipment with a Revolution Apex Scanner, enhancing heart blockage detection and minimizing unnecessary stent placements.
• "Disable the Label" anti-stigma training, presented by VAYA Health, was held on April 17th, fostering inclusivity.
• Medicaid Expansion was implemented, expanding healthcare access across the community.
• Darkness to Light event on April 4th raised awareness and support for mental health struggles.
• St. Luke's Hospital collaborated with Polk County Recreation Department to install new trail equipment, promoting community wellness.
• The 9-8-8 Holiday Campaign successfully raised awareness about mental health support resources.
• Gateway Foundation provided a grant to Polk County HHSA, facilitating the placement of vending machines offering free supplies like naloxone in the community.
• The Children's Advocacy Center, developed with Aspire, Crossnore, and The Free Clinics, received Provisional Certification in late September, bolstering support for children in need.
• Sunrise received a grant from Appalachian Regional Commission to establish a recovery-to-work ecosystem, connecting individuals re-entering society from incarceration or treatment with recovery-friendly employers and providing training for participating workplaces.

Paused/Discontinued Initiatives

As of 2023, there have been no officially discontinued initiatives within our county. While some initiatives have encountered delays or have been slower to gain momentum than initially anticipated, they remain active and under review for potential enhancements and reinvigoration. These slower starts may be attributed to various factors such as resource allocation, community engagement, or logistical considerations. Despite these challenges, ongoing efforts are dedicated to nurturing and advancing these initiatives to fulfill their intended purposes effectively. Through ongoing evaluation and adaptability, we are committed to ensuring that our initiatives evolve and align with the evolving needs and dynamics of our community.