Central Health Expands Into North Austin, East Travis County

AUSTIN, TX — Central Health is spearheading an expansion of its health and social services to low-income residents in Northeast Austin and the eastern portion of Travis County, officials announced Thursday.

The expansion comes with the opening of the Northeast Health Resource Center at Volma Overton Elementary School, officials said in a press advisory. The facility will offer the following health and social services:

• Eligibility and enrollment services for Central Health’s Medical Access Program (MAP), Medicaid, CHIP, and Healthy Texas Women’s Family Planning Program.
• Screening services for blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
• Diabetes education.
• Basic needs application assistance.

The new resource center — for which an April 21 grand opening is planned — is the result of the Eastern Travis County Health & Wellness Collaboration—a coalition of community partners convened by Central Health to tackle the complex needs faced by residents of Eastern Travis County, which include Northeast Austin, officials said. Along with Central Health, CommUnityCare, City of Austin Public Health, Travis County Health and Human Services will provide health and social services at the Northeast Health Resource Center, according to the announcement.

Officials explained the need for expansion: "As housing costs in Travis County’s central core continue to increase, families with low income are moving to east Travis County. Expanding health services at Volma Overton Elementary School is part of a larger strategy to create more access to health care to the eastern parts of Austin and Travis County."

The community is invited to the ground opening to tour the new facility, participate in free health screenings and secure information about important health resources. Scheduled are activities for families, with food and beverages offered. Officials connected to the new center will offer formal remarks at 10:15 a.m. The grand opening ceremony is scheduled Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Volma Overton Elementary School, 7201 Colony Loop Dr.

Among those scheduled to attend are: Mike Geeslin, Central Health President and CEO; Larry Wallace, Enterprise Chief Administrative Officer; Ora Houston, District 1 Austin City Council Member; Sherri Fleming, County Executive for Travis County Health & Human Services; Stephaine Hayden, Director of Austin Public Health; Dr. Paul Cruz, AISD Superintendent; Jaeson T. Fournier, DC, MPH Chief Executive Officer CommUnityCare; Barbara Scott, Colony Park Neighborhood Association President.

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