Byline: KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH -- Old Dominion University's nursing school has been awarded an $800,000 grant to set up a nursing center for homeless and low-income city residents at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center.
The Division of Nursing of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allotted the grant to the school this week.
The nursing center will be open afternoons and evenings five days a week once it opens early next year in a new facility under construction on the outreach center's property on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Residents in Friendship Village and Atlantis, neighborhoods near the center, will be able to use the facility.
The $800,000 grant is to be used over a three-year period. Staff will be hired and equipment will be purchased and set up immediately.
``This is really great because this (health care) is a major problem with the homeless people,'' said Richard Powell, executive director of the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center. ``It's obvious they have no insurance and end up going to the emergency room.''
About 25 percent of the nursing students from ODU will work at the clinic as part of their learning experience.
A full range of diagnostic services will be available, as well as treatment for chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes and acute illnesses such as pneumonia.
A back-up medical staff at the Virginia Beach Health Department will offer services to residents who have problems beyond the scope of the health care practitioners, such as sexually transmitted diseases. Dental hygiene students will clean teeth, and a group of private doctors from Patient First will provide health care services.
``There is a desperate need for health care in this population,'' said Carl O. Helvie, professor of nursing at ODU.
``I think having it right at the shelter will improve access to care.''
In addition, a range of wellness activities will be provided. Virginia Beach General Hospital will provide X-rays, with lab services provided by ODU students.
Officials at the center have raised $49,000 for the 36,000-square-foot building.
They also received a $169,800 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to operate an educational center that will provide classes in job skills, GED and social skills.
The outreach center still needs $50,000 to complete the building.
