A RURAL COMMUNITY

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A RURAL COMMUNITYS IMMUNIZATION NETWORK JOURNEY

• Presented by Jane Colvig, RN
• and Leslie Davis, RN

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The Creation of Pagosa Springs Immunization
Network PSIN

• The Colorado Trust and the Colorado Childrens
  Immunization Coalition
• Five sites throughout the state
• LaPlata/Montezuma site (including Archuleta
  county)
• Provider support and Community effort

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Pagosa Springs, Colorado

• Located western base of Wolf Creek Pass
• Pagosa Springs, Population 2000 1,900
• Archuleta County, Population 2000 10,107
• 2000 est. avg. per capita income 19,000
• Ethnicity - Hispanic and Anglo
• Two MD clinics - one provides vaccinations
• Primary Immunization Provider for county San
  Juan Basin Health Dept., P.S.

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Formation of PSIN

• Identifying key community individuals and
  interest groups
• Initial invitations Health Department, School
  District, Early Childhood Educator, Childcare
  Providers, Healthy Kids, Social Services, Family
  Advocate, Bright Beginnings, Headstart, Parents

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First Meeting January 2001

• BRAINSTORMING!
• Identifying strengths
• Individuals who know the community
• Commitment to child health issues
• Strong public health staff that works as a team
• Willingness to try new approaches
• Health Dept. primary immunization provider in
  county (identified later)

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First Meeting January 2001

• Barriers or challenges
• Transient community
• Parental Attitudes
• Large Home School Population
• Lack of Knowledge
• High Risk Families (Poverty vs Lifestyle)

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Pie in the Sky

• If you had unlimited resources
• MONEY
• MANPOWER
• TIME and ENERGY
• How would you build upon your strengths, and
  minimize your weaknesses?

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To IMPROVE COVERAGE of IMMUNIZATIONStherebyIMPRO
VING the HEALTH of the ENTIRE COMMUNITY
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Maintaining Focus, Commitment and Motivation

• Notebooks Highlights
• Education Articles and Hot Issues
• Flexibility - Meet needs of participants
• CELEBRATE SUCCESSES!
• Calendar events to help build ideas
• One year evaluation, and Parent Survey

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PSINs Community Impact

• Improved co-ordination
• Special and Free clinics
• NIIW - 2001 - Prize drawing - 60 children
  2002 - Prize drawing - 111 children
• Library -immunization books, posters
• Local Media coverage - weekly newspaper,
  radio station
• Outreach to Home School Association
• Education, Education, Education!

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Kindergarten Entry Class size 103
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Our Parting Encouragement!

• Be CREATIVE
• Be FLEXIBLE
• Be POSITIVE
• Be SUPPORTIVE
• Be INCLUSIVE
• Be PREPARED TO WORK HARD!