The Columbus Area Integrated Health Services closed last spring, leaving hundreds without care on the Near East Side. Soon they’ll have a new option for health services.
Two longtime health care providers — PrimaryOne Health and Southeast Healthcare Services — are coming together to serve the community.
"I think this will be a lot better solution for the needs," says Kevin Dixon, vice president of community and cultural Engagement for the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH).
Speaking Thursday on WOSU's All Sides With Ann Fisher, Dixon says he’s confident the wraparound services offered in the new partnership will be an improvement from the old health center.
"They were doing primarily mental health services," he says. "But bringing these two entities together, they’re well respected organizations, and trust is earned – and these two organizations have a lot of trust within the community."
He says ADAMH is working with the community to ensure the new center will be easily accessible by bus, and will have adequate resources for mental health and addiction services.
"We’re really getting some good input from the community about their concerns but also about what do we need on this side of town," Dixon says. "And ADAMH is fully committed to providing the resources that are necessary to ensure that services are provided through these two organizations."
