Community Benefit Programs

Community Benefits Program

This is a sampling of the SIH Charitable Programs that are provided in the community. For more information contact the staff listed below.

Addressing the Opioid Crisis in southern Illinois

As the impact of the opioid crisis has dramatically increased across the nation, southern Illinoisans are also seeing the negative effects of this trend. According to the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, southern Illinois has higher rates of patients being prescribed an opioid and higher rates of overlapping opioid prescriptions as compared to other regions. Prescribers in southern Illinois also prescribe more opioids of 90 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per patient per day than any other region in Illinois. SIH has been working collaboratively with stakeholders to address the drug and opioid epidemic in southern Illinois.

One way we are working to reduce the sharing of prescriptions is by providing free medication disposal drop-off locations in SIH hospitals (Carbondale Memorial, Herrin Hospital, St. Joseph's Memorial) and the SIH Cancer Institute.    Over 500+ pounds of medications have been disposed of since the program began.

Outside of the hospital walls, SIH has partnered with many agencies and organizations in the community to address the opioid crisis. A Substance Abuse Resource Guide has been developed (www.hsidn.org/resources).  Numerous town hall meetings, educational activities, trainings, certification courses, action team, coalition, and substance abuse task force meetings have been held.  SIH staff are providing Narcan and training targeted to medical First responders and law enforcement.  Staff are also  participating in action teams, coalitions and task forces in counties including Williamson, Franklin, and Jackson and the Illinois Opioid Crisis Response Advisory Council and Southern Illinois Opioid Steering Committee.

School Health Programming 

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSWC) The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child, or WSCC model, is CDC’s framework for addressing health in schools.   The WSCC model is student-centered and emphasizes the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices. The 10 components of the model include: Physical education and physical activity, Nutrition environment and services, Health education, Social and emotional school climate, Physical environment, Health services, Counseling, psychological and social services, Employee wellness, Community involvement, and Family engagement.

Through work with the Illinois CATCH onto Health Consortium, SIH collaborates with schools to provide resources to promote health and learning. Staff assist school personnel with assessment, training, program planning, implementation, and evaluation using the WSCC Expanded Model for Coordinated School health as the framework.          

CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) promotes physical activity, healthy food choices and tobacco prevention in elementary school aged children. With over 98% of American children attending public and private schools, schools are logical settings for health promotion programs, where continuous and intensive education can be delivered at low cost to children of all backgrounds. SIH is directly working with the following schools who have been trained in the CATCH program: Adams School, Akin Elementary, Carbondale New School, Christopher Elementary, Crab Orchard Elementary, Desoto Grade School, DuQuoin Elementary, DuQuoin Junior High, General John A. Logan Attendance Center, Giant City School, Herrin Elementary, Immanuel Lutheran, Jefferson Elementary (Johnston City), Jefferson Elementary (Marion), Lincoln Elementary (Johnston City), North Side Primary Center (Herrin), Pinckneyville #204, Pinckneyville Elementary, Prairie Du Rocher Elementary, Sparta Primary Attendance Center, Sparta-Lincoln School, St. Andrew Catholic School, St. Bruno Catholic School, St. John Lutheran School (Chester), St. John Lutheran School (Red Bud), Thompsonville, Tri-C Elementary, Tri-County Special Education, Trico Elementary, Trinity Christian School, Unity Christian School, Unity Point School, Washington Elementary (Johnston City), and Washington Elementary (Marion).

Courage to Quit® (Three - Six session smoking cessation program)

Quitting smoking is a challenge you do not have to face alone.   If quitting smoking is your goal, Respiratory Health Association®’s  Courage to Quit® program can help you get there. Courage to Quit® is a stop smoking program that may be available to you one-on-one or as part of a group. Each session includes information, practice skills, and support to help you reach your smoke-free goal. Trained and certified Courage to Quit® program leaders are committed to help you achieve your smoke-free goal. They come from different backgrounds, including nursing, social work, and community organizations. Leaders are not current smokers.   Courage to Quit® sessions help you make a personal quit smoking plan, identify your triggers to smoke and gain new skills to deal with those triggers. You will learn about quit smoking medication options and strategies to prevent relapse. Courage to Quit® works to build your confidence to start your new tobacco-free life.  For more information visit www.hsidn.org/couragetoquit

Take Charge of Your Health: Live Well, Be Well 

Diabetes and Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs:  Many people live with diabetes and chronic diseases every day, but you do not have to face them alone. SIH and our partners offer the Stanford University developed, Self Management Resource Center's Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) and Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in locations throughout southern Illinois. The FREE 6 week programs are offered to help the participant develop skills to help improve overall health, increase physical activity, improve nutrition and much more. To find a class near you call the Regional Program Coordinator at 618.457.5200 ext. 67837 or visit https://www.hsidn.org/livewellbewell. 

Emergency Oral Health Care

Your teeth have a big impact on your overall well-being. SIH noticed that Medicaid patients were making frequent visits to the ER for tooth related complaints, because they had no dentist to visit. Because our community partners recently increased their ability to provide oral health care for Medicaid patients, SIH is collaborating with them to care for patients in a timely manner – before oral problems become an emergency. Referrals are made to partnering dental offices in Franklin, Williamson, Jackson and Union counties.

Angie Bailey, System Director of Community Health
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67834
E-mail: angie.bailey@sih.net

Fanta Saidou, Community Health Coordinator
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67830
E-mail: fanta.saidou@sih.net

Cherie Wright, School Health Coordinator
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67844
E-mail: cherie.wright@sih.net 

Cindy Johnson, SOR Program Coordinator
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67616
E-mail: cindy.johnson@sih.net

Emma Rea, Office Coordinator
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67848
E-mail: emma.rea@sih.net

Kyndra Minchew, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67832
E-mail: kyndra.minchew@sih.net

Kelli Corner, Tobacco Cessation Disparities Program Grant Supervisor
Phone: 618.457.5200 ext. 67868
E-mail: kelli.corner@sih.net