Just ask any of the dozens of local, state and federal workers, along with the many volunteers working at the clinic to help those affected by the East Palestine train derailment that occurred on Feb. 3.

The clinic is co-sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health, but support is being offered by representatives on hand from the Columbiana County District of Health, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

There also are many agencies there to assist residents and their families with behavioral health issues. Those agencies working together are the Community Action Agency of Columbiana County and the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Columbiana County, alongside members of the Ohio Crisis Response Team, who are specially trained to help meet the mental health needs of people affected by disasters, and the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services.

“It’s always great when we work alongside some of our fellow county agencies like the county health district and the Mental Health and Recovery Board in helping our communities throughout the year, but this health assessment clinic in East Palestine is unprecedented, and CAACC is very happy to be able to help these residents affected get the care and attention needed to help them through this crisis and begin an appropriate course of treatment,” said Thomas Andrews, CAACC’s CEO.

Community Action Agency of Columbiana County CEO Thomas Andrews stands by the agency’s new Mobile Unit, which for the past two weeks has been on site at the East Palestine Health Assessment Clinic at the First Church of Christ, 20 W. Martin St.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff last week expanded services at the clinic to include having vital signs taken, and physicians from East Liverpool City Hospital are now conducting medical examinations. Toxicologists also are available for consultation, according to officials.

The clinic, located at 20 W. Martin St., was opened up last week to serve those from East Palestine as well as residents of Unity. On Saturday, the Ohio Department of Health opened the Health Assessment Clinic to residents from the following townships: Middleton, Fairfield, Elkrun and St. Clair in Columbiana County; and Springfield Township in Mahoning County.

Residents wanting to make to be seen at the clinic may walk in. No appointment is necessary.

The clinic hours this week are noon to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, according to the ODH. The clinic will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with future clinics to be scheduled.

“We are extremely happy to be able to offer our new Mobile Unit at the health assessment clinic for area residents to use for medical examinations,” Andrews said. “We have been on site with the Mobile Unit since Feb. 21 and will continue to be there during hours of the health assessment clinic.

“The CAACC’s Mobile Unit will continue to be a resource for residents of East Palestine long past the recent train disaster. Our goal for the most recent addition of the Mobile Health/Dental Unit is to reach out into the more rural regions of our county to build a patient base and provide services on site. CAACC has targeted four specific areas of the county, and East Palestine is one of those selected communities. Starting this spring CAACC will begin to build a patient base in collaboration with the village of East Palestine to begin regular patient visits,” Andrews noted.

“The Community Action Agency of Columbiana County will be there for any resident in need, …. strengthening the community, fostering well-being and promoting self-sufficiency.”

Andrews noted that CAACC’s Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers, with five locations in East Liverpool, Lisbon and Salineville, also are open to all county residents regardless of the ability to pay.

CAACC’s centers can see patients with Medicare and Medicaid and accept most private insurances as well. And a sliding fee scale based on a family’s income is offered. An example of the sliding fee scale would be a family of four earning $27,751 to $34,688 per year would pay a medical fee of $35 per health visit.

To find out more about CAACC’s Health, Behavioral Health and Dental Centers, please call 330-424-5686.

County residents are reminded that CAACC’s Community Services Department continues to offer $25 and $50 food vouchers to those affected by the train derailment.

The $25 vouchers can be redeemed at the Columbiana, Lisbon and Rogers Save A Lot stores in Columbiana County, and the $50 food vouchers, available this week at the Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, are good at the Sparkle Market in East Palestine.

Vouchers can be picked up the Community Action Agency’s Community Services office located at 7860 Lincole Place, Lisbon, or those affected may call (330) 424-4013 to have a voucher mailed to them.

Photo identification with address will be needed to redeem the voucher, officials said, noting the vouchers can be used to purchase items such as food, cleaning supplies, pet food and personal hygiene items.

As another option to displaced East Palestine residents is the Community Action Healthier Community Pantry, located at 7860 Lincole Place (lower level). The pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.Call 330-424-4013 for more information about the pantry.