Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 8, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 23 February 2006 — Page 23

FCDC, Continued from Page 8

offers testings and counseling, along with ways for the women to get baby essentials, such as cribs, high-chairs and everything else needed to care for a child through its 8.A.8.E. program. "You can't buy anything at the Center," Andrews said. Instead of conventional money, coupons are used to purchase items. The women earn the coupons by attending classes, and Andrews said that the items don't take very many coupons to purchase. "It is very, very do-able," she said. The 8.A.8.E. program, which offers the baby materials, is headed by volunteer 8.A.8.E. Site Director Meredith Wollman, R.N., and assisted by former FCDC Board of Directors member Brenda Miller., The Woman's Care Center Director is Julie Gonzalez, a bilingual nurse. She is at the Cepter on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon *nd 1 to 4 p.m., plus the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. She's at the Center to do baby checks and give free vaccinations. MEDICATION ASSISTANCE When someone feels ill they go see the doctor, who may then prescribe a medication. From there the prescription is filled and the patient is on his or her way to

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FILE PHOTO Sharon Hershberger (left) and Judy Robinson volunteer their time during the Family Christian Development Center’s Christmas Jubilee. The Jubilee is designed to allow lower-income families an opportunity to exchange gifts.

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recovery. But what happens when the medication exceeds the budget of the patient? This is common problem, but the Family Christian Development Center is trying to nullify that problem through its Medication Assistance Program (MAP). MAP works by supplying free prescription drugs to people with low incomes. To qualify for the program, a single person's annual income must be less than $19,000. For a household of two, the annual income must be below $25,000 and a household of three or more cannot make more than $31,000. To help these people receive the medication they need, the FCDC tries to make it as easy as possible. Persons in need first goes to their doctor, who decides what prescription is needed. The patient then brings the necessary paperwork, such as proof of income and the prescription, to the FCEXZ where Program Director Andrea Reeder surfs the Internet to find out if the drug is available free of charge. If it is, Reeder and the patient fill out the proper application to take it back to the doctor, who sends it to the drug company. Within six to eight weeks, the patient has his or her drugs.

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MAP, which earned the FCDC the state award from the Indiana Association for Community and Economic Development, has been at the center since July 2003 and has served about 150 people each year. In 2004, MAP helped 148 clients fill 325 prescriptions which totaled approximately $107,697 a month. According to the FCDC's numbers, clients saved over $2.6 million in the first two years. OVERVIEW The FCDC will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this July, and for Andrews, time as flown by. "It's amazing to look back, when we just had a little bit of food in the basement," she said about the FCDC's first program, the Food Pantry. "Now, we help between 400 and 600 people, but in our first month of existence, we helped 10 people." With programs such as its Food Pantry, Affordable Housing, Medication Assistance and its new Family and Marriage Center, the FCDC has expanded quite a bit. "We opened up here, because there was a need here," Andrews said. And as the needs continue, the FCDC will be right there to help with them.

Progress

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FILE PHOTO The Family Christian Development Center set up an endowment with the Elkhart County Community Foundation this past year. Pictured are (left to right) Amish Acres owner Dick Pletcher, ECCF Program Officer Jim Siegmann. FCDC Executive Director Joan Andrews and Jenni Wysong of Amish Acres.

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FILE PHOTO Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson made a proclamation regarding the Family Christian Development Center’s Marriage and Family Center, and presented a plaque to the FCDC. Pictured are (left to right) Thompson, Judy Farmwald, Hal Farmwald, FCDC Executive Director Joan Andrews, Evidene Graber and Arden Graber.

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Advance News • Thursday, February 16, 2006 •

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