Ephrata to debut resource fair

EPHRATA — The first Ephrata Community Resource Fair will take place Aug. 19 at the Ephrata Recreation Center, bringing together community resources in a single place. 

“The Ephrata Community Resource Forum group meets monthly at Time Out Pizza, and after one of our meetings, we had a discussion about (how) every time we're there, we learn something new,” said Susan Scheib, Communication Director for Columbia Basin Hospital and the organizer of the fair. “If we learn something new, that means that our community probably (doesn’t know) about all the resources.” 

Seventeen local agencies and organizations plan to have displays and information booths at the fair as of Wednesday, and Scheib anticipated more signing up. Information will be available about health care options, pregnancy and parenting support, and services for seniors, among others. 

Molina Healthcare of Washington, the largest Apple Health provider in the Evergreen State, will be there to help people renew coverage, schedule first-time applications and find ways to maximize benefits, Growth and Community Engagement Manager Donny Guerrero wrote in an email to the Columbia Basin Herald. 

PREPARES, a volunteer organization that supports pregnant women and parents of small children, will have a presence there as well. 

“Our group of volunteers works with many families in Ephrata, Soap Lake and Quincy. We accompany the families and provide some essential needs,” volunteer Cyle Nielsen said. 

“We will be offering information on home health and hospice services by our agency in Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties,” Assured Hospice Account Executive Rachel Myrick wrote. “(We will have information on) compassionate individualized care through the spectrum of chronic illness from recovery to end of life. We have a plinko game board that people can play to win prizes.” 

Action Health Partners said via email that it will have information about health care coordination and management, as well as referrals for social support services, among other things. 

Columbia Basin Family Medicine will have a place there as well, Scheib said, to help with chronic care management and using the health care app MyChart, which allows patients to schedule appointments and see test results remotely. 

“It’s designed to connect Ephrata residents (as well as) Soap Lake and Quincy with central services and support systems all in one place,” Scheib said. 

Ephrata Resource Fair 

Ephrata Recreation Center 

121 Alder St. SW 

Aug. 19 

12-6 p.m. 

Exhibitors 

Action Health Partners 

Assured Home Health and Hospice 

Columbia Basin Hospital Family Medicine 

Ephrata Community Dental Clinic 

Ephrata School District 

Family Services of Grant County 

Goodwill Family Services 

Grant County Health District 

Grant PUD 

Molina Healthcare 

NCW Libraries 

New Hope 

PREPARES 

Renew 

WorkSource