AccessHealth Launches Innovative Health Program for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals: A Path to Recovery and Wellness

AccessHealth, a medical nonprofit, is teaming up with Fort Bend County to launch an innovative health care program called Reentry Health Connect. This program focuses on helping individuals who are reentering society after incarceration. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between these individuals and the medical care they need, as announced in a news release on April 15.

The project is backed by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. AccessHealth was selected as one of 51 health centers nationwide to receive part of a $52 million fund aimed at improving health access.

The need for such a program is critical. Many people released from jail face serious health risks, including a higher chance of overdoses and complications from chronic diseases. Kirby Carlock, AccessHealth’s marketing coordinator, emphasized the importance of connecting these individuals with health resources, as well as support for housing, food, job opportunities, and transportation.

Services offered through Reentry Health Connect will include:

– Comprehensive health screenings
– Primary care access
– Mental health support
– Help with health insurance enrollment
– Coordination of social services

To ensure affordability, services will cost between $10 and $40 for families whose incomes are at or below the federal poverty level. AccessHealth is committed to providing care to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. They have multiple locations in Fort Bend County, such as Stafford, Missouri City, Richmond, and Brookshire.

This initiative is vital as research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that up to 80% of individuals leaving incarceration face chronic medical, psychological, or substance use issues. Some individuals even resort to criminal activity just to access necessary medical care. By improving community health access, Reentry Health Connect aims to support public health and safety while easing the financial strain on taxpayers.

The program is set to begin in June, with an initial pilot that will last for two years. As society progresses, programs like this one highlight the growing understanding that health care is a critical component of successful reintegration after incarceration.



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Fort Bend County, AccessHealth, Kirby Carlock