Joseph H. Neal Health Collaborative Outreach Initiative

South Carolina remains among states with the highest percentage of people who live below the poverty level. According to US Census Bureau data, 10.5 percent of South Carolinians do not have health insurance and 45 (out of 46) counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). The late Representative Joseph H. Neal fought to protect South Carolinian’s access to healthcare, often out of reach for the average citizen. Joe was relentless for fighting for people’s rights and he wouldn’t take no for an answer for the people that he served.

To continue Joe Neal’s legacy, the Joseph H. Neal Health Collaborative (JHNHC) located at 1411 Barnwell Street in Columbia, continues to serve the needs of low-income, justice involved citizens, veterans, and people of color. Currently, JHNHC serves a large rural geographic area consisting of Richland, Orangeburg, Lexington, Fairfield, and Chester Counties. We also have mobile services that expand into Bamberg County and Sumter County to provide outreach and testing services.

JHNHC offers comprehensive health services to include, primary care, dental care, mental health, addiction treatment, chronic disease testing, and HIV/STI/HCV testing. In addition to these services, we also provide transitional housing (Joe’s House), job placement, legal services, a food pantry (Joe’s Pantry) and a clothes closet (Joe’s Closet). During the pandemic, we now provide the much needed Covid 19 vaccine to communities of color, veterans, and low-income people in our service area. In response to the community’s need the Joseph H. Neal Health Collaborative (JHNHC) has partnered with SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, (SC DHEC), SC Department of Corrections, (SCDC), and SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, (SC DPPPS), SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, (SC DAODAS), Home Depot, Lowes, and a recent collaboration with the SC Department Veterans’ Affairs.

Our Board of Directors, our exceptional staff and health care providers work tirelessly to advance our mission, keeping with the legacy and great work of the Representative Joe Neal. Joe’s passion has influenced many improvements for the state of South Carolina, but our work here is not done yet! We are making progress and aim to achieve equal access for all people. With bipartisan legislative support and community support we can improve lives and impact change for the future. Here’s the crux of the matter, we need Faith Leaders to join our fight and help us eliminate the social determinants of health that God’s people face. Joe Neal would say that it can be done, but “it takes a village”.

For more information regarding the Covid 19 vaccine or to get an appointment call: 803-849-8434 (We can also come to your site to provide vaccines).