Andersen County

Overall, participants agreed that two of the most successful teams formed at the Future Search were the Homeless Coalition and the Resource Directory Team. “Sanctuary House,” a shelter for the homeless, will be opened September 1, 2002 and will serve people from an eight-county area. The Anderson County Resource Directory was compiled, printed, and distributed by the Resource Directory Team. The Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living has agreed to maintain and distribute updates to the directory as needed.

Other positive results from the original Future Search were discussed at the Reunion. These results included an Obesity Forum which was held in Anderson County to collect ideas on decreasing obesity, the inclusion of improving nutrition in schools in the Palestine Independent School District School Health Advisory Council, and the successful completion of a grant by the University of Texas at Tyler Palestine Campus nursing students to receive equipment for people with disabilities.

All Reunion participants agreed that the increased networking that has occurred since the Future Search has been a tremendous benefit to the entire community.

The Reunion Planning Committee consisted of Sara Minton (Palestine Resource Center), Merle Kelsey (Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services), Vicky Chivers (ACCESS), Danita Alfred (University of Texas at Tyler Palestine Campus School of Nursing), and Beth Lloyd, Patty Beckendorf, Anita Shook, Marie Reed, David Smith, and Paula Hughes (Texas Department of Health). The University of Texas at Tyler Palestine Campus School of Nursing hosted the Future Search Reunion at no charge, furnished coffee for the Reunion, and made copies of all project action sheets. Palestine Regional Medical Center provided fruit and muffins for the break, and the Texas Department of Health prepared handouts and provided facilitators for the Reunion.

In order to continue the work that has taken place in the last year, the participants formed or reformed the following action teams:

Team Name

Diabetes Education

Free Medical Clinic

Inter-County Agency(ICA)

STD & HIV Education in Schools

Grants Education

HIV & STD Clinic

GED Programs – Improved

Big Brother/Big Sister After

School Program

Collaboration with AHEC

Rural Health Care Access & Safety

“Smart Money” Program

Volunteer Program to Nurture Youth

Bulletin Board Posting

Communication in the Community

The participants at the Future Search Reunion decided that they would again like to meet in one year to acknowledge accomplishments, monitor progress, and evaluate “how to improve the health of people in Anderson County.” There was a great deal of energy and enthusiasm at the Reunion. One participant summarized the thoughts of many when she stated, “I can’t wait to get started on my team!”