Where you live should not determine how you are treated.
And yet for children born in Appalachian Ohio, access to physical, mental and behavioral health treatment is hard to come by. From broadband gaps to health worker shortages, Southeast Ohio falls far short of the State of Ohio average on every measure of health and well-being. In fact, if the Appalachian counties of Ohio were combined into a separate state, it would be the second-most economically distressed state in the country.
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The Appalachian Children Coalition is an alliance of behavioral health, education, and social service professionals from the Appalachian region seeking public and private solutions to our region’s most acute needs. Because every child deserves equal access to support services to help them grow into happy, productive adults.
Mission
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of our region's children through collective advocacy and strategic investments.
Vision
The Appalachian Children Coalition envisions a future where every child has access to the care that they require at home, in school, and in their communities.
Utilizing research and best practice, the Appalachian Children Coalition aspires to be a servant to those who serve children by building awareness, advocating for change, generating resources, and building a culture of collaboration across our communities.
Goals
According to studies by regional and state experts,
about 1,000,000 Ohioans
live without internet access.
Having access to the internet is a crucial necessity in our lives in 2023. Inaccessibility to the internet has been a lasting issue in the Appalachian region for years. This includes but is not limited too, access to information, jobs, and telehealth resources. These challenges were significantly magnified due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Read more and watch our Board Member, Robin Burrow, speak on a panel with the Columbus Metropolitan Club about Bridging the Digital Divide.
Help make a difference
If you wish to donate by check:
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Please address checks to:
Appalachian Children Coalition
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Please mail checks to:
Appalachian Children Coalition
5 Depot Street
Athens Ohio 45701
Coalition Membership
The Coalition includes behavioral health, K-12 education, and partner organizations that serve 32 counties. According to the U.S. Census data, this includes about 207,000 children in those counties, and at least 135,000 children enrolled in 187 school districts across those counties.
If you are the leader of an organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Appalachian youth, join our coalition. We need your support and your voice.
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