Various leaders from throughout the Antioch area gathered this evening at the Antioch United Methodist Church to hear the Metro Nashville Health Department provide an update on the proposed WIC clinic in Southeast Nashville. Facilitated by the Rev. Jay Voorhees, these leaders were invited by the council persons in districts 28, 29, 30, 32, and 33, and were joined by Mr. Bart Perkey and Dr. William Paul of the Metro Health Department and Councilpersons Coleman, Duvall, Dominy, and Hodge.

After establishing some ground rules and making introductions, Dr. Paul and Mr. Perkey offered a quick review on the nature of the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) nutritional program, noting that the increase of WIC eligible clients in Davidson County had led the state to increase their allocation of federal funds to build an additional clinic. WIC is funded through the federal government with the state of Tennessee using a specific formula to determine how much funding each area can receive. The increase to Davidson County has been in place since October, and the Health Department wants to move quickly to create a new clinic as existing spaces are already at capacity.

Mr. Perkey then reviewed the factors used by the Health Department in determining the best location for the clinic: the location of the client population, space needs, and cost. 

Mr. Perkey reviewed the growth of the WIC program in the Southeast Nashville area, noting that the number of clients who live in Southeast Nashville (37211, 37012, & 37217) has increased by over 200% since 1995. Over 40% of the WIC clients in Nashville live in one of those three zip codes, clustered particularly in the area between Nolensville Rd. and I-24 as well as the apartment communities along Bell Rd. The trends in the growth of the program in this area suggest that a prime location would be in the Southeast Nashville area. 

Mr. Perkey then reviewed their building needs (1,800 square feet) and looked at 8 different sites that had been identified by Metro Health Department officials as meeting the criteria for the project. These sites were spread throughout the region, but most were either too small to meet the needs of the clinic, or were outside the budget parameters of the project (just under $2,000 per month). After considering all the options, the Health Department is leaning toward a property on Nolensville Rd. in the Hill Center Tusculum. 

Community leaders asked questions throughout the presentation and offered insights on parking and safety about several of the proposed sites. After  much discussion, the group agreed with the Health Department that the Hill Center property seemed to be the best option, and encouraged the Health Department to move forward. Recognizing that the property sits in a council district not represented at the meeting (District 27) these leaders encouraged the other council persons and Pastor Voorhees to be in contact with Councilman Foster, and community leaders from that area for their input. 

There will be a public meeting on February 4, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Living Word Community Church on Hickory Hollow Parkway to review the conversation from this evening, and to invite community comment. 

You may download the Powerpoint presentation shared at the meeting at http://antiochtogether.com/SEWICpresentation.ppt

1st Annual Cane Ridge High School
Spahetti Supper and Auction

Friday, October 2, 2009
5:30 p.m.

Get Ahead of the Class!!

FREE Tutoring Program
for kids in grades K-12