Dr. Jill Hendrickson, PhD, Psychologist, Director of CAA’s Behavioral Health, seated, and Jenna Wonner, COO of CAA of Columbiana County, use one of two exam rooms in CAA’s Health, Behavioral Health and Dentals Centers’ Mobile Unit. (Submitted photo)

LISBON – Community Action Agency (CAA)’s Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers’ Mobile Unit is getting closer to the goal set by administrators of being out in the communities and allowing as many people as possible access to quality health, behavioral health and dental care.

This fall CAA’s Mobile Unit is offering behavioral health services at United Local schools, according to officials.

“We have partnered with United Local School District to give students access to some of our services onsite, and so far it’s working out great,” said Jenna Wonner, CAA’s COO. “We currently have behavioral health services scheduled every other Monday at United and are working on setting up dental and health services.”

The Mobile Unit is an almost 38-foot-long recreational vehicle that houses two exam rooms, a lab area and a bathroom, along with other amenities that patients may use for such services as medical and dental exams, and behavioral health services.

The unit was made in Columbus, Ohio, in 2022, and was first put on the road for CAA services in 2023.

“We are really excited about this partnership with United Local Schools and for the opportunity to provide on-site behavioral health services,” said Dr. Jill Hendrickson, PhD, Psychologist, Director of CAA’s Behavioral Health. “Transportation is a significant barrier, especially for kids in school, so being at the school removes this barrier as well as reduces missed class time. It also allows collaboration with teachers, parents and BH providers, which will enhance and improve the services for the kids, with the goal of greater success for the kids in and out of the classroom.”

Officials with United School District also said they are delighted to be working with CAA Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers.

“I am looking forward to partnering with the CAA to support kindergarten through fourth-grade students at United Local mentally and emotionally in collaboration with their families,” said Mary Alice Sigler, United Local Elementary School Principal and Director of Staff and Student Services. “This partnership will help eliminate barriers, ensuring that all of our students’ needs are met. It is essential that we address each student’s needs so they can grow to their fullest potential academically.”

Providing safe, high quality, comprehensive and affordable health care to our communities has always been the mission of the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County’s Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers, according to Wonner.

This fall CAA dental services via the Mobile Unit are being offered to students in the East Liverpool School District, but in the future, administrators hope to expand access to other school districts in Columbiana County.

“Our biggest goal has always been to move into smaller communities where families don’t have access to quality health and dental care,” said Thomas Andrews, CAA’s CEO. “And we are able to do that now, thanks to our Mobile Unit.”

The Mobile Unit has been used for dental exams and cleanings at all of CAA’s Head Start locations in Columbiana and Jefferson counties, as well as being part of the temporary county health clinic that was launched to help the residents of East Palestine and surrounding areas following the train derailment in that community in February 2023.

Currently, CAA’s Federally Qualified Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers provide quality and affordable comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health services at locations in East Liverpool, Lisbon, Salem and Salineville. A sliding fee scale is based on each patient’s income and family size, and services are provided to patients regardless of the ability to pay.