New Mobile Health & Wellness RV is on the Move

POUGHKEEPSIE – To expand access to public and behavioral health services and promote healthy lifestyles, the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health (DBCH) officially rolled out its new Mobile Health & Wellness RV at the North East Community Center in Millerton. The new mobile vehicle was made possible with funding secured by New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett and brings a wide range of services to areas where access to healthcare resources may be limited. Health services offered through the mobile RV can be customized for specific community needs, including health screenings, mental health resources, immunizations, testing and health education.

County Executive William F.X. O’Neil said, “Our goal is to deliver accessible health services, both mental and physical health, to improve the well-being of our community. Dutchess is a large county and this new Mobile Health & Wellness RV allows us to bring services to where people may be facing barriers to healthcare access. Our dedicated team at the Department of Behavioral & Community Health is committed to serving people where they are and this vehicle will help us do that. We are grateful to Assemblymember Barrett for helping make this important resource possible.”

New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, “I am delighted that we are finally able to launch this new Mobile Health RV in Millerton today. Critical mental and behavioral health providers have been in short supply in the rural eastern and northern communities of Dutchess County. It was especially important to me in funding this mobile health unit to ensure these much-needed services, as well as other essential public health offerings, would be more accessible to our local families, seniors, veterans, teens and children. We have already heard from programs and communities across rural Dutchess County asking how to get this new mobile unit to their towns. Many thanks to DCBCH for their partnership in realizing this vital health and wellness resource.”

DBCH’s Mobile & Wellness Health RV is equipped to provide a wide range of services, including:

* Wellness checks including blood pressure checks;

* Community outreach, education and training including Narcan, CPR and AED training;

* Clinical services including immunizations for children and adults;

* STI screening and testing;

* Mental health and/or substance use counseling and harm reduction activities;

* Recovery coach supports;

* Health education including healthy eating, diabetes prevention;

* and much more.

Nearly 39 feet long, the state-of-the-art RV is equipped with an exam room, intake area, one-on-one meeting space, medical refrigerator and more. It is also handicap accessible with a wheelchair lift for easy access. The exterior of the vehicle is equipped with a video monitor and awning for outreach and training opportunities.

Funding for the vehicle came primarily through a $250,000 New York State State & Municipal Facilities (SAM) Grant secured by New York State Assemblymember Barrett. The remainder of the cost, $150,000, was covered utilizing American Rescue Plan Funds (ARP).
DBCH Commissioner Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado said, “We are excited to collaborate with community partners, healthcare providers and other organizations to improve population health outcomes. With this new vehicle, we can reach underserved populations and customize services and education to reduce health disparities and improve health equity by connecting people with health resources they need.”

DBCH will work with community organizations to schedule the Mobile Health RV at key locations and times to connect with underserved or hard-to-access populations. Today’s rollout aligned the North East Community Center’s weekly food pantry service, which serves approximately 150-200 people each week.

North East Community Center Executive Director Christine Sergent said, “There is clearly a need for expanded health services, particularly here in the more rural parts of the county. We are thrilled to partner with Dutchess County Behavioral & Community Health to offer those we serve easy access to important health services.”

The Mobile Health & Wellness RV will be at community events over the coming months so people can get familiar with all it can offer and they can provide feedback on topics and locations that would best serve their communities. Some upcoming events include: Apple Blossom Day in Red Hook on May 13th, Dutchess Outreach Farmstand events, Dutchess County Office for the Aging summer picnics, ThinkDIFFERENTLY Fitness and Field Day and more.

Those interested in scheduling the Mobile Health & Wellness RV at their organization or local event can contact DBCH’s Trish Munk by phone at 845-486-3559 or by email at pmunk@dutchessny.gov.

To learn about both clinical and mental health services available throughout Dutchess County visit dutchessny.gov/health.