2009 HEALTH FAIR
Hundreds of individuals took part in the 2nd Annual Coastal Center Health Fair this year.  This event addressed an even larger variety of health-related issues and boasted twice as many vendors as the previous year.  Among this year's 20 vendors were 24-Hour Family Fitness, Chatham County Aquatic Center, Gyms To Go, Dynamic Fitness, Savannah Speech and Hearing, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Wound Care Clinic.



Health Services
 

CCDS employs a registered nurse whose responsibilities as Health Services Coordinator include monitoring health, addressing safety concerns and coordinating training for staff and consumers. 
 
Some of the staff training and certification opportunities:

  • CPR certification
  • First Aid certification
  • Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
  • Drug-Free Workplace
  • Defensive Driving
  • Alzheimer’s and People with Disabilities
 
Training opportunities for staff and the individuals served include:
  • Universal Precautions
  • Back Care
  • Fire Safety
 
Health and Wellness
Each January, CCDS hosts the Coastal Center Health Fair which includes vendors whose services and information will improve the general health of the individuals we serve, staff, family members, and other members of the community. 
 
Health-related articles are found in each CCDS newsletter, encouraging the readers to take simple steps toward better health practices.  To complement the written words, agency-wide walking challenges help staff and program participants adopt a practice of being more mobile and more fit.  So far, challenge participants have done virtual hikes along the Appalachian Trail and globally across five continents.  The Health Services Coordinator tracks weekly progress and helps drive the addictive enthusiasm.
 
Taking steps of prevention, CCDS offers free flu vaccines to staff and program participants each year prior to flu season.  This measure has helped to decrease the instances of the flu at work over the past decade. Also available at no cost is the Hepatitis B vaccination series.  Staff and individuals receiving services will be asked upon employment or entering services if they would like to receive it.
 
Risk Management Team
CCDS is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all consumers and staff.  The risk management committee is comprised of a staff representative from each department and at least one individual receiving services.  This committee implements and continually monitors the effectiveness of health, safety and loss control practices of CCDS.