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The Social Services Department has functioned as a part of SeMRHI for more than a decade. The need for supportive services to enhance the primary medical care being delivered became even more evident with the opening of SeMRHI's first urban clinic, the Hattiesburg Family Health Center, in 1995. Social workers were initially brought on board to assist patients that could not afford their medications. Nurses and physicians had always completed this task, but social workers were able to complete more in-depth assessments for each patient and also to take more time in seeking resources. This service has grown to a very large program of medication assistance. Please call 601-544-7500 if you need more information on the medication assistance program. Social Services are also offered at our Hattiesburg Public School and Community Clinic located at 605 Stadium Drive. Donna Black, LCSW, is available to provide counseling for students at the Hattiesburg High School Community Clinic. She completes initial assessments regarding the behavioral needs of each student, and then develops a treatment plan including individual and group counseling sessions. Students come to the counseling through self referral and through referral from their teachers and other school staff. The medical providers at the clinics also call on Donna when they perceive that the patients need counseling as well. The greatest expansion in the Social Services Department came with the funding of Ryan White CARE Act programs to assist patients with HIV and AIDS. Grants were initially received in 2000, and the number of HIV patients being served has grown from 80 to the current 685 (December 2009). The Social Services Department provides community education, counseling and testing for HIV, prevention education, support groups, case management, treatment, referrals, and many other services for the HIV patients and their families. An active consumer advisory board is another part of the Social Services Department. This is beneficial for the patients and also helps keep SeMRHI aware of the needs in the community. Please call the Social Services Department at 601-582-2619 if you need information or presentations on HIV or AIDS. |