Regional Public Health Clinic may relocate to Houma

Feb. 24--The Louisiana Regional Public Health Clinic, which provides preventative and treatment services for low-income people, may relocate from Thibodaux to Houma.

Terrebonne Parish Council members John Navy, Arlanda Williams and Christa Duplantis-Prather are working to bring the clinic to Houma under a plan from the Teche Action Clinic.

The state clinic is on Tiger Drive in Thibodaux, but the lease is coming up soon for renewal.

The office serves residents in Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes.

Williams told the council Wednesday that the effort could provide more public health outreach to the Houma area. The council later approved a resolution to allow the administration to move forward with discussions.

Navy said there is already a 1.66-mill property tax collected every year for public health maintenance and construction projects. He estimated the fund has about $1.9 million accumulated.

"If we have those funds, let's use it," Navy said.

The regional office and Teche have been working together on this plan for several years, Navy said. The new facility would be built on land next to the Teche Action Clinic on Tunnel Boulevard in Houma.

Navy said he and Williams have been looking for ways to expand elderly and mental health care in the parish and this would provide for a good opportunity to expand.

"We understand conditions are deplorable," Navy said, adding that state cuts have placed the responsibility to provide services on the parish government.

With the combined effort of the three parties, Navy said he hopes construction will begin this year.

In the past, waiting for state money has prohibited progress, but Navy said he wants the parish to take the lead and move forward quickly.

He plans to push the administration to the negotiating table with the public health and Teche offices.

Initial plans have already been drawn up with an estimated construction cost of $1.4 million, Navy said.

"I cannot tell you how important this is," said Duplantis-Prather, an emergency room nurse.

She said she hopes the new building will include a 24/7 clinic, reducing the demand on local emergency rooms.

Navy said other outreach programs could follow.

Councilman Darren Guidry suggested mental health take a priority at the new facility.

Navy also said he hopes to expand mental health programs to the school system.

Staff Writer Julia Arenstam can be reached at 448-7636 or julia.arenstam@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @gingerale214.

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