Denton County Diabetes Case Management Program
The Denton County Health Department (DCHD) is initiating a new Diabetes Program, designed to assist low income diabetics in managing their condition.
The program is funded by Medicaid and targets patients who are uninsured, as well as those on Medicaid.
Health educators and case managers will work to improve the ability of diabetics to be more successful in self-management. The program will encourage patients to take medications as ordered, keep appointments, stay on their diets and to get more exercise and follow their doctor’s orders. Keeping referral appointments for eye and foot exams will also be emphasized.
The first phase of the program will focus on preparing a diabetes registry of patients who may fit the target group. Continued funding for the project is dependent upon the ability to reduce Medicaid costs related to diabetes care. Use of this kind of Chronic Care Model has demonstrated cost effectiveness in other similar settings.
Denton County Celebrates Ribbon Cutting on Administrative Complex Phase II
The Denton County Administrative Complex is part of Denton County’s continuing effort to provide the best governmental services at the least cost to the citizens of Denton County.
Responding to significant population growth projections, the new complex consolidates operations across the county on to one campus to make them more efficient and accessible.
The project is divided into three separate phases of construction. When complete, all campus facilities will be connected by walkways and the design of the facilities will complement each other through building materials and design styles.
Phase 1 consisted of the Health Services Building, a facility that now houses the Family Protective Services, County Health and Women Infant and Children departments to better serve the growing county population.
Phase 2, positioned between Mayhill Road and Kimberly Drive, includes new facilities for Community Supervision and Corrections Department/Adult Probation, Elections Administration and Technology Services, Facilities Management and TABC/Game Warden, as well as expansion of the Campus Central Utility Plant.
Phase 3 will consist of spaces for the Treasurer, Justice of the Peace 1, Constable Precinct 1, Auditor, Purchasing, Texas Agriculture Extension, Human Resources, Budget and Commissioners Court.
From the start of the project, Denton County has been committed to receiving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
In late 2010, Phase 1 was awarded Silver classification for LEED. Energy and water conservation are important aspects of the design, hence water used for irrigation is augmented by four corrugated metal cisterns found at each end of the administration building, and inside the facility, low-flow fixtures reduce water usage by 41%.
The building design includes energy efficient window and wall design to reduce the heat gain inside the building. Reduced lighting power reduces electricity needs and provides the proper amount of light for the employees and visitors. In addition, the use of efficient mechanical equipment is expected to reduce the energy use for air conditioning by approximately 60-percent.
Additional features include: parking for fuel-efficient vehicles; sunshades on exterior windows; use of low-emitting materials; bicycle storage space and shower/changing rooms; high-use of recycled content, use of certified wood; use of materials within a 500-mile radius of the building; and, a significant reduction of waste taken to the landfill.
Steps to mitigate the potential heat-island effect were also taken by using pavers and light colored concrete for the site pavements and metal roof panels with high reflectivity. These energy-saving steps will save Denton County tax-payers valuable tax dollars by reducing utility bills.
Town of Flower Mound Approves Site Plan for Precinct 4 Government Center
Soon the residents in the southwestern Denton County will have government services come to them!
The Flower Mound Town Council and Planning and Zoning Commission have approved the site plan for a new Precinct 4 Government Center, which will be located in the new Canyon Falls Master Planned Community.
The Government Center will include space for: Denton County Precinct 4 Commissioners office, Tax Office; County Clerk; Texas Department of Public Safety; Justice of the Peace; Constable, Sheriff’s Office; plus a large community room. The project will go out to bids for construction this summer with plans to open in 2014.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you! My email is andy.eads@dentoncounty.com or 940-349-2801.
