In-patient Hospice Care Close to Home

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Steve Richard, President/CEO, SUN Home Health and Hospice and otherstakeholders, for a new hospice center located within the Sunbury Hospital. USDA Rural Development awarded Sun Home Health Services, Inc. $99,500 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant funding to create a six-bed inpatient hospice unit within the hospital.  Terminally ill cancer patients in Central Pennsylvania now have an alternative to travelling 30–150 miles to an urban area for short-term in-patient hospice care.

I was pleasantly surprised by the homelike atmosphere of the unit. Unlimited family visitation, where even small pets are allowed, and comfortable surroundings create a special place where patients and families can continue to receive the special care of hospice. 

For instance, the first patient, admitted on October 8, 2009, was able to remain in a home like setting while professionals provided advanced symptom management and pain control in the new unit.  Like many other terminally ill cancer patients, he has chosen hospice care so that he can remain in his home and close to family members. He was able to receive a higher level of care when it was needed, close to home, and then return home quickly.

It is anticipated that over 200 patients and their families will receive services annually for a brief period of time while they need special services at the end of life’s journey.  Prior to the opening of Sun Home Health Care Center, the closest in-patient hospice facilities were too far away for a terminally ill patient wishing to be close to his home and family. 

SUN Home Health and Hospice has been serving the community since 1969 and began providing hospice care in 1981 as part of its comprehensive community health mission.  During that time the organization’s team of healthcare professionals and community volunteers have touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families. I am very proud that USDA Rural Development was able to financially support this much needed inpatient hospice care unit in Pennsylvania. 

Thomas P. Williams, Pennsylvania State Director, USDA Rural Development

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:53AM Nov 23, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

USDA Recovery Act Funding Improves Water Quality in Eastern Shore Community

In addition to providing quality jobs, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is improving antiquated infrastructure in rural America. For example, Jonestown, East of Easton on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula, is about to receive a long-needed upgrade to its water system.

On November 16th it was my privilege to join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin to meet residents of Jonestown’s Nelpine Heights subdivision, and to present a plaque to longtime resident Mable Friend, who has worked for 15 years to improve the quality of the tap water in her area. Thanks to her efforts, with assistance from the State, county and USDA Rural Development, the 22 homes in the subdivision along with the rest of the homes in Jonestown, will be hooked up to a new water system, which replaces an antiquated system and a number of shallow private wells. When the project is finished, 100 homes will have safe, reliable tap water. The $1.6 million project is made possible in part with $285,000 in USDA grant funds and a $95,000 low interest loan through ARRA, with the rest of the funding coming from Caroline County and the State of Maryland.

In order to highlight the funding announcement, we gathered at Coppins A.M.E Church, which has, through the involvement of its congregation, played an important role in securing the funds. We also announced the provision of $6.9 million in Recovery Act funds to the Commissioners of Sudlersville. Those funds will also be used to improve a water and wastewater system. I am proud that USDA Rural Development, through the Recovery Act, is able to provide affordable water system upgrades for Maryland communities, and I am pleased that Senator Cardin, who chairs the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, joined us in Jonesville to make this important announcement. As the Senator said, shoring up our aging water infrastructure is critical to creating and saving jobs that will help restore our nation’s economic growth.

Jack Tarburton, USDA Rural Development State Director, Delaware/Maryland

Permalink  |  Posted: 03:25PM Nov 17, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]

North Dakota to Get New Hospital Through Recovery Act Funding

I had the pleasure of joining USDA Under Secretary Tonsager, Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy in the ground-breaking of a new regional medical center in Jamestown, North Dakota. This project is a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law in February.

Through ARRA funds, our office provided $31 million to the Jamestown Hospital project and another $15 million guaranteed loan brought our total financing to $46 million. Needless to say, the community of Jamestown is incredibly excited about their new medical facility.

The current hospital was built in 1935 and has issues of air quality, privacy and security. The USDA Rural Development financed hospital will be a state of the art medical facility that will not only serve Jamestown, but a large geographic region in east-central North Dakota.

This hospital project is the largest funding ever financed by USDA in North Dakota, and one of the larger projects ever across the country. This project came together thanks to the community of Jamestown’s vision for a better tomorrow, the expertise from our team and the leadership of the Obama administration. The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2011 and is consistent with President Obama’s vision of building Rural America and delivering top-quality health care. I was happy to play a role in an investment that will pay huge dividends for many generations of North Dakotans to come.

One of those attending the groundbreaking, in addition to the dignitaries mentioned above, was student reporter Jackie Engdahl, a senior at Jamestown High School.  She interviewed Under Secretary Tonsager concerning the hospital project.    

Jasper Schneider, North Dakota State Director, USDA Rural Development

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:03AM Nov 13, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

Recovery Act Funds Provide Jobs and Help Families find Affordable Housing in Nebraska

One of the most satisfying things about being State Director of USDA Rural Development in Nebraska is seeing in person how the Recovery Act helps our local businesses and families.

A homebuilding firm located in the community of Gering, a Nebraska town of about 8,000 was facing the prospect of having to lay off a significant number of workers because of the economic downturn. That’s when a neighborhood development agency, the city and USDA Rural Development got involved. Six lots were sold to the home building firm through a loan from the city, and an affordable home was built on each lot.

After the homes were completed, two local lenders used USDA Rural Development home loan guarantees provided through the Recovery Act to finance the purchase of three of the homes by local residents. Another buyer obtained a direct home loan from USDA.

Now that the first phase of the home building project is a success, the home building firm has purchased five additional lots and is planning to build homes on them.

It’s a mutually beneficial proposition: The Recovery Act through Rural Development provides funds for new home buyers, like Pastor Mendez and Bobbi Jo Ybarra-Mendez and family, the community increases its property tax base and a local builder keeps skilled staff on the job. What is most impressive was that a large number of community, financial and governmental organizations pitched in to make this a reality. When you get right down to it, that’s what the word “community” is all about.

Maxine B. Moul, State Director, USDA Rural Development, Nebraska

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:43PM Nov 03, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]