Winner of the
2005 Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Walter Driggers Environmentalist of the Year Award

MARION COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
March, 2007 PACE-EH Progress Report

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Date: April 23, 2007

To: Daniel Parker, MSP
Assistant Division Director, Division of Environmental Health

From: Herman Hale, RN
PACE-EH Coordinator

Subject: West Ocala Neighborhood PACE EH Project

1. Project Summary

The funds secured by the Environmental Health Division of the Marion County Health Department will be used to facilitate a community-driven initiative. This project - West Ocala Neighborhood PACE EH Project - seeks to collaboratively conduct an assessment, strategically plan and set priorities to address environmental health concerns. The goal of the project is to impact and improve the quality of life of the West Side community of the city of Ocala.

2. Work Plan and Process Update

Clearly specify the PACE EH Task you have worked on, are currently working on including future plans to complete Tasks. How close are you to achieving your outlined goal for the assessment' The example below is a format you are encouraged to use.

April has been another productive month for the Marion County Health Department's PACE-EH team.

On Monday April 2nd, Herman Hale, RN, the PACE-EH coordinator, gave a presentation to the Poinciana Heights Homeowners Task Force. This presentation was done at the request of this group and was follow-up related to a preliminary community assessment done by Hale. During the presentation, the group was given information about unkempt properties, illegal community dump sites, and the need for community involvement. The PACE-EH process was also discussed and 3 citizens volunteered to serve on a CEHA team, which will assist in carrying this project forward. Hale plans to continue attending these monthly meeting and building a larger team, which will assist in identifying specific community goals.

On Saturday, April 7^th, the PACE-EH coordinator participated in the first annual Neighborhood Citizens of North West Ocala (NCNWO) Health Fair. This event was made possible by funding received through the Community Environmental Health Advisory Board (CEHAB) and represents another positive step for this particular community. The fair allowed residents to see first hand what NCNWO has accomplished related to the environmental issues affecting their neighborhood. The PACE-EH booth offered a display recognizing the efforts of NCNWO, as the initial PACE-EH project in our county. Also on display, was information related to environmental concerns of other Marion County neighborhoods. One of the most exciting events of the day was the judging of posters; which were submitted by elementary school students. The theme for the submissions was 'Protecting Our Environment' and these students did an outstanding job! All in all, the event was a great success and allowed the PACE-EH team to remain a visible partner within this neighborhood.

On Saturday, April 21^st, PACE-EH set up at the YMCA Youth Health Fair. This opportunity allowed the PACE-EH coordinator to discuss environmental issues with a different segment of Marion County citizens and proved to be very beneficial to the continuation of the PACE-EH process. Once again, there was an exchange of concerns and the chance to discuss everything from water conservation to Smart Growth principles. Several attendees requested more information about PACE-EH and have shown interest in scheduling meetings in their particular communities.

The Marion County Health Department's PACE-EH team continues to be encouraged, by the response to its message throughout our county. As our journey progresses, we are excited about the opportunities to act as an agent of change and maintaining our presence, as an active community partner. We look forward to the coming months, as we continue our efforts to improve the environment of Marion County, one neighborhood at a time.