South Central KY AHEC at WKU: HETC

South Central Kentucky AHEC

Health Education Training Center

The South Central Kentucky Health Education Training Center (HETC) is federally funded via the Kentucky AHEC Program and is managed by the South Central Kentucky AHEC in cooperation with the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University. HETC's mission is to provide special assistance to communities suffering from acute and persistent health profession shortages. HETC counties are chosen from those counties within the South Central AHEC service area that are designated by the federal government as health professions shortage areas (HPSA). The HETC counties for 1999-2002 are Adair, Allen, Breckinridge, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hart, LaRue, Meade, and Washington.

HETC programs include but are not limited to, Kentucky Interdisciplinary Community Screening (KICS), Family Practice Residency Program, Paramedic Training Program, Farm Safety Day Camps, Math and Science Academy, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), FARMEDIC Program, Dental Skills Development and Screening (DS2), and Child Restraint Safety Systems Checkpoints

Kentucky Interdisciplinary Community Screening (KICS)

KICS is conducted each year in a different HETC county for one week. Interdisciplinary health teams include students in nursing, medicine, dentistry, social work, and health education from the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University that screen rural residents under the supervision of faculty. This program merges quality education for students with community service by providing needed health screening and referrals for rural residents.

For more information contact Lucy Juett or Donita Lashley at (270) 745-3325.

Family Practice Residency Program

The South Central HETC in cooperation with the University of Louisville and the medical staff of T. J. Samson Community Hospital established a Family Practice Residency Program in Glasgow, Kentucky. This program satisfies the mandate of the Kentucky General Assembly to establish a Family Practice Residency in the 2nd Congressional District. The first residents entered the program on July 1, 1997.

For more information contact Lucy Juett or Donita Lashley at (270) 745-3325.

Paramedic Training Program

The South Central HETC established a Paramedic Training Program in response to requests from emergency services representatives for high quality training founded on academic standards and principles for their EMTs. The HETC Paramedic Training Course has enjoyed a high rate of success by graduates taking state or national certifying exams.

The paramedic certification program is closely coordinated with the Kentucky Emergency Medical Services Academy (KEMSA) located at Western Kentucky University and also with the Bowling Green Community College of Western Kentucky University (BGCC). The BGCC offers an associates Degree in Applied Sciences for nationally registered certified paramedics.

For more information contact Lee Brown at (270) 745-3325.

Farm Safety Day Camps

In rural Kentucky, farm accidents are a reality. Lives are lost, injuries are devastating and economic losses are staggering. The South Central HETC goal is to educate children about safety measures that will prevent such tragic occurrences. The HETC is addressing this need through farm safety day camps. The camps are for 6 to 13 year olds and last for one day. Suggested topics for the event may include, but are not limited to, fire safety, electrical safety, tractor/equipment safety, animal safety, etc. The camps utilize the model developed by Progressive Farmer.

HETC also offers First-on-the-scene a farm safety program for adults which may be held in conjunction with the day camp for youth. (See Farmedic)

For more information contact Donita Lashley or Lucy Juett at (270) 745-3325

Science and Math Academy (SMARTS)

This program is designed for rising 7th and 8th grade students. Research reveals that math and science are major obstacles preventing students from choosing a health career or being successful en route to becoming a health professional. The HETC is charting new territory with these programs and welcomes advice for providing quality programs to help meet the students' needs. The program's goal is to help middle school students overcome their fear of math and science and to discover their relevancy and importance to health careers. It may also serve to enhance their current level of understanding of these subjects. Local instructors are hired and there is a great deal of flexibility based on what will work in a particular community. The camp may be conducted for five consecutive days, on Saturdays, or perhaps three days one week and two days the next week.

For more information contact Donita Lashley at (270) 745-3325.

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)

The South Central HETC successfully developed a collegiate chapter of Health Occupations Students of America at Western Kentucky University. This chapter provides valuable information on health careers in general for the undecided majors and specific information on entrance to the professional programs for health careers majors. Monthly HOSA meetings feature a speaker from some aspect of the health care system. A nationally or internationally recognized speaker is presented in April at the WKU-HOSA Annual Lecture on Health Care. The Chapter's focus is on personal and professional development. The program also includes several service projects each year.

For more information contact Lucy Juett at (270) 745-3325.

Dental Skills Development and Screening Program (DS2)

DS2 is an easy to deliver and highly effective program for primary grade students in the reduction of oral plaque and the encouragement of good oral health. DS2 may be conducted by a local dental hygienist, a teacher, or a volunteer who has received brief training and orientation from HETC. The program involves two visits to each classroom. The first visit includes 15 minutes of oral health education and using disclosing tablets to reveal plaque. Each child also receives a toothbrush and a dental sticker. The second visit includes the use of the disclosing tablets and reinforcement of teaching objectives. Plaque reduction between the first and second visits is typically 20% as the result of DS2 intervention. Oral health problems are common in children and poor oral health habits contribute to a lifetime of problems. DS2 has the potential to establish good oral health habits at an early age and to prevent many dental problems. Another benefit of DS2 is the ability to document measurable outcomes - specifically the reduction in plaque between the first and second visits. The HETC would like DS2 implemented in every HETC county.

For more information contact Lucy Juett at (270) 745-3325.

FARMEDIC

FARMEDIC is a national program developed at Alfred State College in New York to train EMTs, Paramedics, fire and rescue personnel and farmers in how to deal with farm accidents and to rescue or retrieve victims of farm accidents. This is a two day workshop utilizing a standardized curriculum developed by nationally recognized authorities in the field.

In addition to the workshop the Farmedic program includes several separate short courses. These courses cover specific subjects such as accidents involving the transportation of livestock, silo and pond safety and a 3-4 hour program entitled First-on-the-Scene. This presentation teaches the lay person what to do and what not to do should they discover a farm or agricultural accident.

SCHETC has become proactive in providing this training and plans to conduct at least one course in each service county during the 1999-2002 period.

For more information contact Lee Brown at (270) 745-3325.

Child Passenger Safety Checkpoints

HETC staff are now nationally certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians. The HETC staff in cooperation with certified technicians from other agencies are prepared to conduct child safety checkpoints at daycare centers, pre-school programs as well as other locations. HETC staff are also available for presentations regarding child passenger safety to health care and day care staffs and other interested groups.

For more information contact Donita Lashley at (270) 745-3325.