Community Health

The Community Health Division is composed of registered nurses with varied levels of job specific training and certifications. They work directly with clients/families/childcare staff, and collaborate with the health care team to promote optimal health for individuals and families in Buncombe County.

Our goal is to provide comprehensive assessments, interventions, and referrals to support services and health education for our clients in the convenience of their home or a community setting. We take care of children in Child Care Centers, high-risk prenatal clients, postpartum and newborn clients in their home, and disabled adults and children that qualify for nursing home placement, but whose families choose to keep them at home with medical support services.

Child Primary Services include:

• Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

A registered nurse, nutritionist, and environmental health staff member work together to determine the cause of a child's elevated lead level, make recommendations to resolve exposure to the lead source, and monitor the child's lead level until it reaches a normal level.

• Community Alternative Program (CAP)

A registered nurse completes a yearly assessment for qualified disabled children and adults enrolled in CAP. She verifies that physician orders are being followed and client needs are being met in the home setting.

• Adult Day Health Specialist

• Contracted Nursing Services with Head Start and Early Head Start

A registered nurse completes physical assessments and screenings and assists with medical needs of all children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start Programs. She provides staff training for the care of children with special needs, and for OSHA, CPR, and First Aide requirements, as needed.

• Child Care Health Consultant Program (Smart Start)

• High Risk Medically Indicated Prenatal Service

Registered nurses visit high risk medically indicated and teen prenatal clients in their home to assess for complications of pregnancy, educate on signs/symptoms to report to their physician, and offer support services to promote a healthy pregnancy outcome.

• Postpartum and Newborn Home Visiting Services

Registered nurses visit postpartum clients and their newborns in their home within 60 days of delivery to assess for complications, educate on postpartum and newborn care, and offer support and referrals to community resources.

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Prenatal Loss Counseling

A registered nurse, certified in SIDS counseling, makes a home visit to parents whom have experienced a SIDS related loss. She answers questions, makes referrals, as appropriate, and provides support while assisting the family with the grief process. Also, registered nurses are available to make a home visit to a woman that has recently experienced a fetal loss and needs extra support.

• Adolescent Pregnancy Support Services

Any child can be seen at the Health Center, from newborn to age 18. Generally, regular check-ups and physical exams are scheduled about one week in advance.

Any child can be seen at the Health Center, from newborn to age 18. Generally, regular check-ups and physical exams are scheduled about one week in advance.

In addition to the Doctors on our staff, services are provided by Nurse Practioners, Physician's Assistants, and certified Nurse Screeners.

If your child is ill, he or she will be seen as soon as possible, often the same day that you call for the appointment.

Please call 250-5000 to set up an appointment.

When you bring your child in for an appointment at the Health Center, make sure to bring any insurance information you have including your Medicaid card or other insurance card. If you do not have insurance, please bring proof of your current income. This could be a recent pay stub, bank statement, or other document that shows your current household income. This is to help us determine what portion of the charges for your child's visit you may be asked to pay.

Also be sure to bring a copy of the child's current Immunization Record as well as any other Medical Records you may have for the child. This will help us provide the best possible care for your child.

Clients who come to the Health Center without an appointment are directed to a telephone in the lobby to access the scheduling center. If an appointment is not available, the patient (or parent) may speak to a Registered Nurse for advice.

Clinical services accept self-pay, Medicaid and private insurance. Most services are provided on a sliding fee scale and eligible participants may receive care at no charge (fees are based on family size and income).