Because "a healthy person is a happy person," the months and years ahead will mean many, many happier residents of HUD-assisted housing in East Texas. Through a joint effort, a new Preventative Healthcare Initiative will be implemented through HUD's Neighborhood Networks Community Technology Centers in the Houston area.

Multifamily Housing Houston, in collaboration with the Affordable Housing Management Association of East Texas (AHMA), recently announced this unique on-site initiative. The initiative is a joint venture with Houston Neighborhood Networks, Inc. (HNNI), Preventive Healthcare Outreach, Inc. (PHO) and St. Joseph's Hospital of Houston. The Houston Multifamily Housing Program Center will begin the program in five developments with existing Neighborhood Networks Centers. Four fully subsidized Section 8 family developments and one Section 202 development - a total of 1052 units with an estimated 3100 individuals - will be served in the first stage of the initiative.

In addition, a new $10,000 scholarship program sponsored by AHMA East Texas and Austin Affordable Housing Corporation (AAHC), was announced for residents of project-based section 8 housing.

The Preventative Healthcare Initiative has been welcomed by medical professionals in Houston, who are eager for an opportunity to contribute to the well being of the families, kids and elderly residents in HUD-assisted housing. The premise of the initiative is preventive medicine, a simple and cost-effective way for residents to take control of their physical and emotional well being, even within financial restraints. Many HUD residents previously received their healthcare through emergency rooms of community hospitals�usually at the end-stages of the disease or aliment.

Role of Houston Neighborhood Networks, Inc. (HNNI): HNNI is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit consortium established in 1997. Their mission is to promote educational opportunities, computer literacy, job readiness, job development, and entrepreneurship, primarily for economically disadvantaged families affiliated with Neighborhood Networks CTC. The catalyst for this organization was a desire to enhance the HUD's Southeast Texas CTC initiative. The organization is independent of HUD and will coordinate the preventive healthcare initiative through their network of 26 centers, by utilizing the on-site CTC coordinators.

Role of Preventive Healthcare Outreach, Inc.: PHO is a consortium of independently owned companies consisting of healthcare professionals providing whole body care/comprehensive care to underserved individuals in Houston and its surrounding counties. PHO takes the clinic to the HUD facilities, including all the necessary support personnel and technology. Patients with complicated care or who need comprehensive care are referred to the related sub-specialty physician for follow-up, or are referred to an individual doctor's office for further work-up. The organization was established with the knowledge that the healthcare industry is a billion dollar industry representing 25% of the United States GNP. It is well known among medical professionals that 'prevention' is far more effective than 'cure,' and it can significantly reduce the spiraling costs of healthcare. PHO will provide comprehensive medical care on-site to HUD residents in the Houston Multifamily Housing jurisdiction after the initial five sites have been serviced. The group format will be a one-stop shop approach consisting of General Medicine & Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, Hearing, Home Health, Labs, Volunteers and Grant Writing to obtain funds for residents who do not have health insurance.

Role of St. Joseph Hospital: The role of the St. Joseph Hospital will be guided by Jeff Webster, COO, Neal Corolyn, Physician Development and Jack Catalagirone, Business Development. St. Joseph's will primarily be responsible for the development of individual clinics, providing necessary equipment and accessories, admitting clients to St. Joseph's Hospital as necessary as well as Home Health. In addition, 20 Nuns from the hospital, headed by Sister Annette, will serve as volunteers. St. Joseph's Hospital, built in 1887, has established a tradition of quality and compassionate healthcare in Houston. As an early pioneer in modern medicine, the hospital provided Houston's first x-ray machine, first infant incubator, first center for cardiovascular diseases, first cardiac ICU, and one of the nation's first mammography centers. In the new millennium, the hospital continues its tradition as a world-class teaching and research facility. Comprehensive services range from women's care to cardiology to cancer treatment to orthopedics - and just about everything in between. Located in Houston's revitalized Downtown district, the hospital covers 12 city blocks near the intersection of Highway 59 and Interstate 45. Over 400 active physicians are on their medical staff and almost 2,200 dedicated Associates.

The new $10,000 scholarship program, sponsored by AHMA East Texas and Austin Affordable Housing Corporation (AAHC), is intended for residents of project-based section 8 housing. AAHC serves as HUD's Section 8 Contract Administrator with responsibility for about 55,000 units throughout the State of Texas. AHMA and AAHC will award five educational scholarships this year to qualified residents of project-based section 8 housing. The scholarships, in the amount of $2,000 each, may be used for post-secondary education at accredited colleges, universities or vocational schools.

The scholarships are intended to provide educational and career opportunities to economically disadvantaged residents. Considering the many challenges facing potential scholarship applicants, it is the goal of AHMA East Texas to award scholarships based primarily on the applicant's demonstrated qualities of motivation, character, and leadership. School transcripts and grades will be considered only in so far as they may indicate an applicant's likelihood of acceptance at an accredited institution.

Scholarships to academic colleges or universities will be funded for the academic year Fall, 2003 through Spring, 2004. Scholarships to technical or vocational institutions will be funded for the next class session following the award date. Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other reasonable education-related living expenses. Funds will be disbursed directly to the educational institution to be applied to approved educational expenses.