Recap: November 6 People Working Group Meeting

People Working Group

Topic: Health and Wellness

November 6, 2024

Washington Shores Elementary School

Dr. Bridget Williams (Orange County Public Schools) opened the meeting at 6:10 PM

Natalie Lovero (Lift Orlando) presented a Choice Planning Grant summary and 

Gaile Plowden (Orlando Housing Authority) presented the data relevant to the discussion (presentation found here).

Bettye Williams led the group discussion. The group was asked “What programs and partners exist to address the following categories and what gaps remain?” The following items are needs and existing services that were noted by participants:

Quality Health Care: 

• A partnership could be created with Advent Health and Orlando Health to provide an emergency triage center where community members can actually sit down with a health professional and be advised on what type of doctor they need to see and where they can go.

• Community Health Centers (CHC) is a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) and they have a healthcare navigator. There is one at the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center and they have other locations. They provide primary care, dental, labs, pediatrics, pharmaceuticals, and more.

• Utilize mobile healthcare units to come to the housing properties at designated times for residents to access care conveniently. 

• Orange Blossom Family Health has a mobile unit and is also an FQHC.

Insurance

• CHC provides assistance for anyone (does not need to be a CHC patient) to enroll in the marketplace and select a healthcare plan. CHC can meet anywhere that is convenient for the individual. They could provide this service at the housing sites.

• There could be a family resource room onsite so residents can come and find information about available resources at any time.

• Veteran services could be brought onsite two days a week because there are many resources they provide but that people aren’t accessing or are unaware of.

• Create a team to monitor a service inquiry line where people can call to find services they need (similar to 311 but tailored to this community).

• Dental services are needed. A participant suggested we look into Innovage, which has a facility near Florida Mall that provides dental services.

Mental Health Supports

• Mental Health Association of Central Florida provides mobile services. 

• There is a need for Behavior specialists for children. Advent Health does provide this through a program called No Limit Educate.

• ‘CIL’ provides services for special needs children and wrap around services for the family.

• “Counseling on Us” was also mentioned as a program to explore.

Communities Events and Activities

• Lift Orlando holds quarterly “open house” events with food trucks, games/activities and community resources.

• Bingo is offered at the senior centers.

• L Claudia Allen used to have a program called “The Willow” that offered after school programs and could be looked at as a model of what to provide today. 

• There are some after school programs currently offered at the City of Orlando recreation sites in the neighborhood.

• Lake Lorna Doone Park offers a quarterly drive-in movie night, a splash pad and back to school event. They want to offer more activities but are in need of more funding for programming. 

• Senior activities are offered through the City of Orlando (Game night and dances for example), however, there is not a lot of male participation.

• OHA has a partnership with the City of Orlando who provides afterschool activities with transportation at their Citrus Square property. We could replicate this model at Lake Mann Homes.  

• Seniors First Meal Program is offered at L. Claudia Allen (daily) and Pendana Senior (twice per week.) Seniors can sign up to enjoy a meal together. It also provides a few volunteer opportunities for the seniors. (We could investigate bringing the program to Lorna Doone Apartments and/or Lake Mann Homes)

• The Farmer’s Market that was held at Barker Park in the past was very successful. Gilbert McQueen Park and Lake Lorna Doone Park are also great locations for a farmer’s market. We could also partner with Hebni Nutrition to host a farmer’s market. 

• There is a free fitness class on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM at Lake Lorna Doone park. There is also a walking/running club on Wednesdays for seniors. 

• Water aerobics is offered at the Smith center. 

• Transportation could be offered for seniors to attend some of the activities that are happening nearby.

• There is a need for more activities for kids. It was suggested to connect with the Boys/Girl scouts and the All-stars program through the City of Orlando. 

Fresh Healthy Foods

• Hebni Nutrition wants to create a food bodega - small community grocery store. They would sell meal kits, medical food kits that address chronic illnesses, and frozen meal kits for seniors who have difficulty cooking for themselves. They would like to offer virtual appointments with a dietician. They are also currently getting a new van for their Mobile Market thanks to funding by Sprouts. They desire a 7,000 square foot space.

• Hebni Nutrition could bring vegetables to the properties with their mobile farmer’s market. 

Independent Living Supports for Senior and/or Disabled

• Provide supports that enable seniors to age in place such as transportation so they can get out and interact with others.

• Connect with Lynx, who offers transportation from the senior center to downtown.

• Explore the program ‘Counsel of Aging.’

• Seniors need legal advice on estate planning, such as wills and trusts. 

• Legal Aide has attorneys that can help seniors (specifically during tax season).

• Senior Resource Alliance (Compassion City) provides resources for Seniors.

• Create a digital resource guide that can also be printed for seniors or available via a kiosk in the lobby of the apartments.

• Guardian Care provides resources for independent living.

• There is a need for all these resources to be made available in multiple languages. 

• Poinciana Personal Care provides personal care services to seniors and children with special needs.

• Veterans assisted living can help veterans who need housing to find a suitable home.

• OHA noted that they have 619 vouchers specifically for veterans and work with the VA for placements. 

• Partner with local universities such as UCF or Valencia to create a map of services available in the area.