Health foundation highlights grants, mobile clinic and plans for school-based nurse practitioner in Eatonville

A representative for a health foundation told the Eatonville Town Council on May 5 that the group is concentrating local grants on three priorities — access to primary care, food and nutrition, and youth mental health — and highlighted recent and planned programs in town.

The presenter said the foundation has invested "over $125,000" in partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club and Grace Counseling to provide weekly group counseling and individual scholarships for children, and noted a separate $50,000 award to the Center for Change to support health-care screenings.

"We brought a couple partners here just to highlight the work," the presenter said, adding that the Grace Medical mobile unit visited town and will return on a quarterly schedule for services and a health fair scheduled for May 6. The presenter also announced the foundation will publish a job description for a nurse practitioner to staff a school-based health clinic at Hungerford Elementary next year.

Council members and staff expressed appreciation for the partnerships and asked staff to circulate the foundation’s slides and contact information. One council member noted the value of combining mobile screenings with food distribution to increase access.

The foundation’s representative emphasized there was no action required by the council: "We wanna keep the town council informed of these efforts that are ongoing," the presenter said. Staff later confirmed the mobile unit will offer screenings and services from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Macedonia, and residents should bring proof of residency.

The foundation presentation was part of the evening’s public attendees and partner remarks. Staff encouraged the council to help spread the word about the mobile clinic, the impending nurse-practitioner job posting and other community events tied to the grants.