September 22, 2009

Employees with the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) will block walk Greater Fifth Ward to give residents information packets featuring community resources located within the area’s neighborhoods. 

Approximately 250 HDHHS employees will visit about 7,500 Fifth Ward households, both houses and apartment units, Oct. 7-10 as part of HDHHS’ sixth Assessment, Intervention and Mobilization (AIM) project. They will then spend about two weeks following up on the residents’ immediate needs.

HDHHS uses AIM projects to evaluate and improve the ability of residents to manage their health and well-being. It also uses the AIM projects to help link residents to needed health or human services.

Among some of most common immediate resident needs found by HDHHS during packet distributions in previous AIM projects are prescription medications, food, clothes, utility assistance, transportation support and counseling about eligibility for a variety of programs.

Over the summer HDHHS began the assessment portion of the project by conducting surveys with Fifth Ward residents. The assessment – designed to identify health-related issues – will continue through February as HDHHS conducts key-informant sessions with Fifth Ward community leaders and service providers, in-depth interviews with residents and focus groups.

AIM projects help HDHHS obtain statistical information to determine a community’s health status and needs. They also help improve HDHHS’ readiness to respond to natural or man-made disasters.

HDHHS conducted AIM projects the last three years in Houston’s Near Northside, Sunnyside, Independence Heights, Magnolia Park and in the Tri-Community area comprised of Clinton Park, Fidelity and Clinton View neighborhoods.

For more information, call HDHHS at 713-794-9999.