American Rescue Plan: Expanding Health Services for Young Families

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN: EXPANDING HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Healthcare has been a major focus of the City of New Albany’s American Rescue Plan funding efforts. In recent weeks, the City has pushed American Rescue Plan funds into service through programs aimed at addiction and mental health services, food and rent/utility insecurity, family services, and education. American Rescue Plan funds have also been distributed to 43 local businesses that applied for and received small business assistance funding.

At today’s New Albany Redevelopment Commission Meeting, the board will discuss a proposal from Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care to offer new free community classes on nutrition, functional medicine, breastfeeding, and parenting.

The practice currently serves 2,307 active clients in Southern Indiana from newborn to nineteen years old. Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care is currently expanding into the Schad and Schad building in downtown New Albany, with 25+ healthcare professionals expected to be working in the building when fully operational. The new location is projected to bring over 125 people into downtown New Albany and through the office each day.

The new location is also conducive to “drive-thru medicine” or “walk-out medicine,” where clients can wait in their car and a physician will come outside the office to serve them. The location has many benefits with respect to COVID-19 services, allowing for less exposure-risk for clients and staff alike, such as modifications planned to change the former bank drive through into a new health services drive-thru.

Complete Pediatrics and Specialty Care is helmed by Dr Laleh Rezaei, who is pursuing a fellowship from the Institute of Functional Medicine, defined as a model that is an “individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness.”

The board is considering up to $375,000 in ARPA funds to help with these youth healthcare and educational initiatives through the practice.

CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH LIFESPRING SERVICES

In early February, the City of New Albany partnered with LifeSpring for a new health clinic in the Colonial Manor development on Charlestown Road. At this clinic, LifeSpring will provide affordable primary care health services at the facility, General Primary Medical Care, Diagnostic Laboratory, Referral for Diagnostic Radiology, General Medical Screenings, Voluntary Family Planning, Immunizations, Well Child Services, Gynecological Care, Discounted Pharmaceutical Program, Prenatal and Postpartum Care, Integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment, Health Education, Outreach, Nutrition services, Case management services, and Assistance with obtaining insurance. At today’s meeting, the Board will consider action on an additional $296,000 towards the construction of the clinic.