Daviess County Hires Health Liason

guerro-go-volcy

          The Daviess County Commissioners back in October voted to create and pay for a part time position in the county health department to address the high infant mortality rate in Daviess County. Today’s Washington Times Herald reports that the person hired is Guerroro “G” Volcy.

        She’s a Haitian native who has been in the US for several years.  She speaks Creole and the goal is for her to connect with local Haitian population on getting the prenatal care needed to reduce the number of baby deaths in the community.  Daviess County’s infant mortality rate is the highest in the state and has been attributed to some residents not knowing about, or how to access the care, and a language barrier on communicating the need for that care.

        County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender told reporter Mike Grant that Volcy is already making a difference by connecting expectant mothers with organizations and going on appointments with them as a translator. 

        Volcy is being paid with County Health Department funds. Sullender is working on getting a state grant in order for the position to continue.