December 6, 2001

Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk (614) 292-3040

Ohio State reaching out to University District

New initiatives seek to improve quality of life in neighborhood

COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University Board of Trustees heard a report Friday (12/6) from the College of Human Ecology, the Ohio State Medical Center, and the Office of University Outreach and Engagement on initiatives that are helping to improve the quality of life in the University District.

Vice President for University Outreach Bobby Moser said a holistic approach is being taken that incorporates a district leadership team, enhanced service learning opportunities and a new Web site to address many issues, including child care, health care and unemployment in the area. 

Two University District projects were outlined by David Andrews, dean of the College of Human Ecology.  First, a proposal to build a new child care center to replace the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory in the College of Human Ecology is being proposed in conjunction with the College of Education and the University P-12 Initiative. The center would be intended to serve as a focal point to train students, conduct research and serve families with young children. The project is in the planning phase, with program details being finalized and a funding plan currently being developed. Andrews said the proposal calls for a program that will serve 40 infants and toddlers, and 100 preschool children and their families. Efforts are under way to coordinate this project with the Ohio Department of Education and the Columbus Public Schools.

Second, a University District Leadership Team, chaired by Moser, has agreed to develop universitywide guidelines for working with agencies in the University District. A group of Ohio State representatives and University District agency leaders are working together to develop the guidelines that will be shared with both university and community agency personnel.

Wanda Dillard, director of community development for the Medical Center, presented information on four projects involving the Medical Center in the University District: the Asian Health Initiative, La Clinica Latina, the Holy Name Family Health Center, and the Secure and Friendly Environment (SAFE) project.

Set up in 1997 to increase health and awareness in the Asian community, the Asian Health Initiative is a partnership of the Medical Center, Asian American Community services, Asian American Community Service Council and Southeast Asian Ministries. It established a free clinic that is open part-time and averages 13 patients per night.

Established in 2001 to increase health, access and awareness in the Latino community, La Clinica Latina is a partnership of the Medical Center, Family Practice, Latino Health Alliance and Saint Vincent Family Services. Its free clinic, staffed with volunteers, has served approximately 275 patients to date, Dillard said.

Holy Name Family Health Center is a partnership of the Medical Center and Catholic Social Services that provides eight hours of service per week to community residents and students from the College of Nursing to the Health Center.

Secure and Friendly Environment (SAFE) is a project addressing anxiety disorders in partnership with the Medical Center, Hubbard and Pilgrim Elementary Schools, and Columbus Public Schools.

Janet Sanfilippo, director of university outreach, briefed trustees on a job readiness network being developed by the Columbus Compact to address unemployment, a major issue in the University District. The Columbus Compact is the management authority for the Columbus Empowerment Zone, a federal designation from HUD that allows for a flow of federal resources to revitalize the area.

Working in collaboration with local human services agencies, Ohio State — the only employer involved in the process to date  — has the potential to provide information about employer needs; provide training and/or coaching for civil service exams; provide job opportunities or encourage private contractors to do so; and bring additional employers to the process, Sanfilippo said.

An enhanced employment network in the University District will chip away at the unemployment rate, which in turn will contribute to a more stable neighborhood. The job readiness network is consistent with the Campus Partners master plan, she said.

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