DeKalb County Health Department Receives Community Mobile Unit
August 3, 2021The DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund (DCCRF) advisory committee and the DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD) are announcing the arrival of the Mobile Health Unit, which will provide a wide range of health care services, including COVID-19 vaccinations throughout DeKalb County. The Mobile Health Unit was purchased through generous funding received from the DCCRF advisory committee as part of the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Grant program. “The mobile unit will help us expand access to quality health care opportunities throughout DeKalb County and help provide additional convenience-based opportunities for community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Lisa Gonzalez, Public Health Administrator of DCHD.
“As we continue in vaccinating eligible residents against COVID-19, we also have the opportunity to utilize this mobile unit to take COVID-19 vaccines into some of the most impacted communities and provide them with protection against this virus.”
Although the Health Department participates in events and opportunities throughout the County, this new unit will allow more prominent visibility in the community and allow for additional services. The mobile unit will offer direct opportunities to provide family and adult health services, health screenings, education, and outreach to community members who need services. The services offered may include immunizations, education, health insurance eligibility and enrollment, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations.
The customized mobile unit includes:
- A waiting space to accommodate individuals or families with seating, storage, and hand washing station.
- A separate exam area that can accommodate adults or adolescents also equipped with seating, storage and hand washing station.
- Screens to help with monitoring clients.
- Small refrigerator.
- Fully air conditioned and heated unit.
- 16’ retractable power awning
- Technology and connectivity required to securely record data and support health visits.
- Equipped with safety equipment including a fire extinguisher and PPE
“Beyond using the unit for the COVID-19 vaccines, we see this unit as a way to meet the needs of the community at various outreach events.”
The following donors contributed through the DCCRF to specifically support the purchase of the mobile health unit: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Douglas C. & Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation, IDEAL Industries Foundation, Horizons Unlimited Foundation, FNBO, Kishwaukee United Way, Northwestern Medicine, Karen and Joe Grush, Dave and Suzanne Juday, Elizabeth Bass, Rotaract Club of Sycamore, and the DeKalb County Community Foundation.