Supporting Community Health
Elkton is a vibrant rural community but many people face barriers when it comes to accessing health and wellness services. Our area is federally designated as a Medically Underserved Area. In 2023 our area was identified as one of the top ten areas of greatest unmet need out of Oregon’s 128 service areas. Twice as many residents ages 18-64 live with a disability than in Oregon as a whole and we have significantly higher deaths per 100,000 people due to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
ECEC’s Wellness Initiative is focused on increasing accessibility to health and wellness services designed to prevent disease and improve quality of life. Our community is not big enough to sustain a brick-and-mortar medical clinic. Instead, we are focusing on preventative programs and partnerships that support the health and wellness of those living in our area. Our wellness programs are open to anyone in the community who is seeking support, but especially seniors, people living with chronic illness, and those with limited incomes.
For more details about programs or services below, take a look at our Events Calendar or click on the button below to connect with our Wellness Advocate through our secure online contact form.
Health & Wellness Providers & Services
We are partnering with mobile providers who are able to provide in-person services such as vaccines, dental care, phlebotomy, diabetes wound care and more. Our current partners are listed below and we look forward to adding more in the future:
- Jen Champion, a yoga instructor with Vista Wellness Center, is offering floor and chair yoga classes here at ECEC. Yoga and holistic approaches to health enhance an interconnectedness of physical, mental and emotional heath; help alleviate symptoms; and promote a healthy lifestyle.
- UCAN’s Outpost Mobile Food Pantry travels and distributes fresh produce, packaged and dry goods, and other food items in remote rural communities.
- R & S Deliveries is a local company that understands the hardships of rural living. ECEC is partnering with them to make getting groceries more affordable, convenient and simple.
Classes & Workshops
In Spring 2024 we are partnering with FARA to host their TIPS parenting class. We also host OSU Extension Service workshops throughout the year. These workshops focus on home food preservation, food security, nutrition education, emergency preparedness, healthy aging, physical activity, and more! We’ve previously partnered with UC-VEG to virtually stream their 13-week Lifestyle & Nutrition Course for an in-person group here at ECEC.
Telehealth Access Point (TAP)
Community members can now reserve space and technology in our new wellness building to attend telehealth appointments and online wellness programs.
Application Assistance
We are now offering application assistance to those looking to apply for Oregon Health Plan (OHP) insurance, Marketplace insurance, SNAP (food stamp) benefits, TANF (cash assistance) benefits and ERDC (childcare) benefits. We can schedule an appointment with our OHA Certified Assister who can help you through the process of applying for one or more of these programs. We can also connect you with Medicare and Social Security application assistance through our Telehealth Access Point (TAP).
Information & Referrals
We are a network partner with Unite Us, a referral platform created to support the Connect Oregon collaborative. Trained volunteers at ECEC can talk with you confidentially to help you connect with housing, transportation, health care providers, and more.
Health & Wellness Resource Library
We are gathering information on health & wellness resources that directly serve Elkton and the surrounding area. We will compile this information and make it available on our website as well as in the ECEC library. We are also creating a “library of things” made up of various items that can be checked-out from the ECEC library for home use (e.g. workout DVDs, light therapy lamp, blood pressure monitor, resistance bands, weights, EMS foot massager, etc.). This program will be launched in the spring of 2024.
Thanks to our Funders and Partners!
