Clinic Will Bring Free Primary Care Services

To Newtown’s Neediest Families

By Jan Howard

Kevin’s Community Center, a clinic designed to provide free primary care services for Newtown’s uninsured, low income, and homebound adults, is projected to open in early August in an area donated by the Newtown Department of Health at Canaan House on the Fairfield Hills campus.

The clinic, named in memory of the son of its founder, Dr Z. Michael Taweh of Newtown, recently received approval from the state as a nonprofit organization. That approval was granted in a little over two weeks, according to Dr Taweh.

“It usually takes a minimum of 60 days,” he said this week.

The free clinic has received all other required approvals to open, including that of the state Department of Health. “All we’re waiting for is the state to send an inspector of the facility,” Dr Taweh said.

The clinic will be open initially on Wednesdays from 1 to 5 pm, and increased hours would be considered depending on community needs, probably six months after opening, he said.

Though volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrators would staff the clinic, it will cost approximately $50,000 to operate the clinic annually. In this week’s Letter Hive, Dr Taweh writes that Newtown residents can help with the clinic in many ways, including a financial donation to support the clinic.

“Ninety-nine percent of your contribution will go for direct patient care,” he writes. He said this week that high a percentage is “very unusual.”

Donations can be sent to Kevin’s Community Center, PO Box 0037, Newtown, CT 06470. Jack Hickey-Williams, a professional fundraiser, is volunteering his services to Kevin’s Community Center. A coupon appears with this story that can be used in making a donation.

The fundraising emphasis will be on Newtown resources, such as clubs and organizations and businesses, according to board member Sue Stockman said. To schedule a presentation by a member of the board of Kevin’s Community Center, call 740-8221.

Dr Taweh said the clinic would participate in the annual health fair in September. “We expect to be a big part of that effort,” he said. He also participated in the recent carnival at St Rose Church.

Dr Taweh said residents could also volunteer their time at the clinic in positions that match interests and skills. Administrative and nursing volunteers are needed. Dr Taweh’s goal is to have at least one or two nurses at each clinic session.

Dr Taweh said the clinic would open the first week in August with a reception for members of the community, volunteers, and those who have donated toward the free clinic.

“Everyone in the community is invited to attend,” Dr Taweh said.

Dr Taweh also announced this week the appointment of Jennifer Lane, a licensed practical nurse, of Brookfield as clinical nursing director.

“My duties will include general assignments and overseeing the volunteer staff,” she said.

Ms Lane is a graduate of Henry Abbot Technical School. She was previously employed as assistant nurse manager for Glen Hill Convalescent Center and by Danbury Hospital.

Danbury Hospital has donated furnishings and equipment for the clinic. A partnership has also been established with the hospital that allows the clinic to provide free laboratory and some radiology services.

The clinic will dispense medications without cost, Dr Taweh said, but when there is a need for drugs it does not have, the Newtown Drug Center has agreed to provide a discounted rate for clinic patients.

In addition to acute care at the clinic, medical care at no cost will be provided by a referral network of physicians in all subspecialties of medicine, Dr Taweh said, such as chiropractors, dermatologists, orthopedists, neurologists, and others.

Dr Taweh said patients with chronic medical problems would be referred to these specialists for ongoing care.

“They will see patients at no cost to the patient or to Kevin’s Community Center,” he said.

To be eligible for care at the clinic, residents must meet federal poverty guidelines. Those whose income is 100 percent of the federal poverty level or lower can be seen at Kevin’s Community Center until their Medicaid begins, he said.

Those residents at 100 to 200 percent of the poverty level qualify for care, he noted. Residents at 200 to 300 percent of the poverty level would be seen on a case-by-case basis.

Dr Taweh noted that a five-person family with an income of $80,000 would qualify for some services.

“The clinic will be accessible to everyone eligible in Newtown who doesn’t have health insurance,” he said. If they meet the income guidelines, they automatically qualify.

A social services caseworker would be present at each session, Dr Taweh said, for documentation of income guidelines and proof of Newtown residency.

Home care would be the next step for the clinic in the future, Dr Taweh said. That decision would be based on a needs assessment for Newtown residents that would gather data on what services are needed and to what extent.

“That would determine the frequency of home visits,” he said.

Dr Taweh does not foresee that home visits would be available before another year because the Social Services Department would need time to put the assessment together and to evaluate the results.

Dr Taweh and an advisory board, comprised of members of the clergy and health and social service professionals, an attorney, and residents, have been working since last September to formulate plans to bring his idea of a free clinic to fruition.

Dr Taweh and his wife Jocelyne suffered the loss of their 3-year-old son Kevin last August in an accident in their home.

For additional information, write Kevin’s Community Center, Inc, PO Box 0037, Newtown, CT 06470. Information can also be obtained through its web page, kevinscommunitycenter.org.