From left, Steering Committee Vice Chair Jack Dennis, Christine Observer of United Way, and Lee Oakes

MILFORD - The Pike County Commissioners presented a $3,000 check to Lee Oakes, a member of the Pike/Wayne Counties Health and Human Services Community Needs Assessment Steering Committee to help with the cost of their ground-breaking study that will guide the delivery of health care and human services to the people of both counties.

The study was initiated by Wayne Memorial Hospital which has been the top financial supporter of the study. The hospital was aided by the United Way of Pike County and won early support from the Pike County Commissioners who were instrumental in gathering support and funding from other organizations including the Wayne County government.

”All the nonprofit groups that are in Pike County gave us $1,000 out of their $3,000 budget” Oakes stated. “The state and PPL were second and third behind Wayne Hospital in the amount of funds given for the study.”  

The project is fully funded, initial research is underway, and the study will be completed sometime in 2009. HMS Associates won the bid for the project. Total budget for the study is $66,375. At the present time, primary and secondary research, focus groups, telephone and one-on-one interviews with leadership and concerned citizen groups is underway in both counties. Upon completion, the study will be available for use free of charge to users on line and in appropriate public locations in both counties.