Dexter Community Regional Healthcare Foundation

THE ORGANIZATION'S STATEMENT OF PURPOSES, AS PRESENTED IN THE CORPORATE BY-LAWS, IS (1) TO ENSURE, AS OWNER AND LESSOR, THE VIABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL LOCATED IN DEXTER, MISSOURI, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE DEXTER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, BY SCRUTINIZING THE LESSEE'S OPERATION OF THE HOSPITAL TO ENSURE THAT THE LESSEE ABIDES BY THE LEASE TERMS AND CONTINUES TO PROVIDE THE HEALTH CARE NEEDED IN THE DEXTER AREA; AND (2) TO BUILD HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE OVERALL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE ORGANIZATION ORIGINALLY OPERATED A FULL SERVICE 50 BED COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, INCLUDING PROVISION OF LIMITED CHARITABLE CARE TO THE DEXTER, MISSOURI COMMUNITY AS ITS PROGRAM SERVICE ACTIVITY DURING THE PERIOD 1968 - 1999. IN 1999, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE OPERATIONS OF THE HOSPITAL WITHOUT CUTTING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO THE DEXTER, MISSOURI COMMUNITY, THE ORGANIZATION LEASED THE HOSPITAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIP

MOTHER-TO-MOTHER - THIS PROGRAM IS AN INCENTIVE BASED MENTORING PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT AND PARENTING YOUNG WOMEN. TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND EQUIPMENT ARE PROVIDED THAT ENABLE YOUNG MOTHERS TO BECOME BETTER PARENTS AND REDUCE THE OCCURRENCES OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. TWO SCHEDULED GROUP MEETINGS EACH MONTH PROVIDE TIME AND INFORMATION FOR YOUNG MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN TO INTERACT WITH STAFF AND OTHER YOUNG FAMILIES. BEING AN INCENTIVE BASED PROGRAM, MENTEES GO OVER AN INCENTIVE FORM ONCE A MONTH WITH THEIR MENTOR AND ARE AWARDED BABY BUCKS FOR DEVELOPING POSITIVE PARENTING SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. THEY IN TURN MAY SPEND THEIR BABY BUCKS IN THE BABY BOUTIQUE WHICH IS STOCKED WITH CLOTHING, DIAPERS, WIPES, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, SAFETY EQUIPMENT, AND INFANT SUPPLIES. YOUNG MOTHERS, FATHERS, AND CHILDREN VERY MUCH ENJOY COMING BY THE OFFICE TO VISIT AND PLAY IN THE RESOURCE CENTER. DURING THESE MEETINGS THE CHILDREN ENJOY THE PLAYROOM AND THE PARENTS GET TO INTERACT WITH STAFF IN A RELAXING, STRESS FREE ATMOSPHERE. MOTHER-TO-MOTHER IS A 4 PHASE PROGRAM. PHASE I IS WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN ENTERS THE PROGRAM DURING HER PREGNANCY. SHE ENTERS PHASE II WHEN THE CHILD IS BORN. WHEN THE CHILD REACHES ITS FIRST BIRTHDAY THE MOTHER THEN DECIDES IF SHE WANTS TO ENTER PHASE III OF THE PROGRAM. IF SHE CHOOSES TO ENTER PHASE III SHE MUST EITHER CONTINUE HER EDUCATION OR OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT. MOTHER-TO-MOTHER IS ALL ABOUT EDUCATION AND YOUNG MOTHERS CREATING SAFE AND STABLE HOMES FOR THEIR FAMILIES. EMPHASIS IS GIVEN TO PROMOTING POSITIVE TRAINING AND SKILLS THAT ENABLE THE YOUNG MOTHER TO DEVELOP A FINANCIALLY SECURE FUTURE FOR HER AND HER FAMILY. IF THEY WANT TO BEGIN OR CONTINUE WITH COLLEGE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL CLASSES A STAFF PERSON IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ASSISTANCE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION OR TECHNICAL SKILLS. ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED TO THOSE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT BY HELPING WITH JOB SEARCHES, RESUMES, APPROPRIATE CLOTHING FOR INTERVIEWS, AND TIPS ON GOOD INTERVIEW PRESENTATIONS. PHASE IV, THE FINAL COMPONENT IN THE MOTHER TO MOTHER PROGRAM, PREPARES PARTICIPANTS FOR EXIT FROM THE PROGRAM, OFFERS PEER MONITORING AND/OR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES. PARTICIPANTS WILL REMAIN IN PHASE IV FOR NO LONGER THAN ONE YEAR. DURING 2021 A TOTAL OF 78 PARENTS AND 81 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN THE MOTHER-TO-MOTHER PROGRAM. THE MOTHER TO MOTHER PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY GRANTS AND DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS.

HEALTHCARE RELATED GRANTS - TO FURTHER ITS HEALTHCARE MISSION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANT FUNDING TO OTHER HEALTHCARE RELATED EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. DURING 2021 GRANTS WERE PROVIDED TO LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR THE BACKPACKS FOR FRIDAY PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FOOD TO SCHOOL CHILDREN EACH FRIDAY BEFORE THEY LEAVE SCHOOL TO HELP ALLEVIATE HUNGER OVER THE WEEKEND. FUNDING WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO THE CITY OF DEXTER MO TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE BOON PARK UNIVERSAL PLAYGROUND PROJECT, A LOCAL PROJECT TO DEVELOP A PARK WITH PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT ACCESSABLE AND ACCOMODATING TO HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS. AN AWARD WAS ALSO GIVEN TO AN EXEMPT ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST IN FIRE SAFETY EDUCATION. TO ASSIST THE STODDARD COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME TO DELIVER SERVICES TO ABUSED, NEGLECTED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY, THE FOUNDATION TRANSFERRED OWNERSHIP OF A THREE ACRE TRACT OF LAND TO THE CHILDREN'S HOME THAT WILL BE USED TO CONSTRUCT A NEW RESIDENTIAL FACILITY ADJACENT TO THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS IN DEXTER, MO.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM HELPS THE UNINSURED AND LOW-INCOME TO SECURE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH VARIOUS PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY INDIGENT PROGRAMS. DURING 2021 THE VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF ASSISTED 190 INDIVIDUALS IN SECURING 1,709 PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, AT A WHOLESALE VALUE OF 2,905,593.

THE FOUNDATION SERVES AS THE STODDARD COUNTY HUB FOR THE BOOTHEEL BABIES AND FAMILIES INFANT MORTALITY REDUCTION INITIATIVE. AS THE HUB, THE FOUNDATION FACILITATES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STODDARD COUNTY COMMUNITY TASK FORCE, WHOSE GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF INFANT MORTALITY IN THE COUNTY. THE TASK FORCE'S RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING COUNTY AND REGIONAL ASSETS, GAPS IN SERVICES, CAPACITY NEEDS AND FACTORS RELATED TO HEALTH DISPARITIES IN AN OVERALL EFFORT TO IMPROVE BIRTH OUTCOMES IN STODDARD COUNTY. FUNDING FOR THE HUB'S EFFORTS IS PROVIDED THROUGH GRANTS FROM MISSOURI FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PURSUE HEALTHCARE RELATED CAREERS. THREE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING 3,000 WERE AWARDED IN 2021 TO GRADUATING SENIORS AND TO CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO MET THE 3.25 GPA REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL. HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF STODDARD COUNTY MAY APPLY FOR THIS 4,000 SCHOLARSHIP IF THEY HAVE MINIMUM ACT TEST SCORES OF 25, ARE ATTENDING A STODDARD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL, OR ARE HOME SCHOOLED IN STODDARD COUNTY, AND PLAN TO PURSUE HEALTH CARE RELATED CAREERS. OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD IN STODDDARD COUNTY WHO WANT TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL TRAINING. THE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED THE STODDARD COUNTY HEALTH COALITION TO ADDRESS HEALTH CONCERNS ESTABLISHED BY A COUNTY NEEDS ASSESSMENT PREPARED BY SEHEALTH AND ST. FRANCIS HOSPITALS. MEMBERS OF THIS COALITION INCLUDE DEXTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SOUTHEAST HEALTH OF STODDARD COUNTY, STODDARD COUNTY HEALTH CENTER, PARENTS AS TEACHERS, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CYPRESS POINT NURSING CENTER, STODDARD COUNTY EMS, DEXTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS. COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE DANGERS OF SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES WERE THE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES. THE STODDARD COUNTY HEALTH COALITION PROMOTED SMOKE FREE ISSUES AT VARIOUS EVENTS.