Health Rev. James W. Hill - Chairperson                                                                      Phone 931.249.4762                                                                         greenwoodcamtan@bellsouth.net 1.   The Health Committee  Work to promote, protect and       address the health needs of African Americans and        poor communities;  2.   Increase access to specific health needs of the community; 3.   Advocate for equal access to health education, treatment,  care       and research for all Americans; 4.  Sponsor health related activities such as health fairs,      forums and workshops highlighting issues of importance      to people of color; an 5.   Support the health initiatives of the association.:  CAMTAN  Five years ago, a meeting of local area ministers resulted in the  founding of the Clarksville Area Ministers Technical Assistance  Network, CAMTAN. A non-profit group organized to provide mental, physical, and  spiritual assistance to those confronting an HIV/AIDS infection. CAMTAN also seeks  to provide capacity building faith-based responses to HIV/AIDS. The organization  furthers seeks to combat this disease with a prevention education outreach campaign  as well.  Dispelling the vast amount of misinformation and simply false data about this disease  that is circulating within the community takes a considerable amount their time.  CAMTAN’s client service area includes the city of Clarksville; Montgomery, Robertson, Chetham, Dickson, Stewart, Houston and Humphreys Counties. Clarksville is the  central operation base. Pastor James Hill is the executive director. For those dealing with actual infection,  support services range from transportation to medical appointments, job interviews or  medication pick-ups, to weekly community meals, consultations and fellowship.  Coordination and networking with larger organizations in the Metro-Nashville area is  also a part of the program. Applying for grants is a major funding objective. IRS  regulations require the organization to demonstrate continued viability before being  accorded a non-provisional 501(c) (3) status. Many grant funding entities require that  non-provisional status to qualify for their large supporting grants. Several pastors, local churches and private individuals have pledged monthly  contributions that enable the program to function in its current limited capacity during  this probationary period. This level of support is vital to CAMTAN being able to sustain its operation and meet its mission. While all area ministers have been invited to  participate, at a minimum, in a financial support capacity, not all contacts have been  favorably received. Sadly, some pledges have failed to materialize and that has had a  serious negative impact on the program’s ability to meet its principle objectives. As a  non-profit, CAMTAN draws no government funding to execute any of its programs. Nashville Cares, MICTAN and The Ryan White Foundation do not cover Montgomery  County or our neighboring areas. Clients served by CAMATN must rely on the meager resources which CAMTAN can muster to meet its mission. An eight-passenger van,  administrative office support located at Greenwood CM Church, a telephone/fax line  and email address and a regular community luncheon with fellowship are primary  support facets of CAMTAN. A social worker provides case management on a limited  basis. Although several coordination efforts have been attempted, the Montgomery County  Health Department and its AIDS Coordinator has not able to meet with CAMTAN  clients or participate in past health fairs hosted by the organization. While CAMTAN  manned an information table with health brochures and T-shirts, the Health  Department was noticeably absent at the August 8th PCA 6th Annual African Street  Festival at Fairgrounds Park. This prevented blood pressure checks and diabetes  screenings from being part of the community-wide outreach. Pastor Hill attends several conferences and workshops in the course of a year.  Information on infection rates, medical updates, medicinal breakthroughs and adverse reaction alerts, grant writing guidance and grant opportunities are just some of the  benefits gained from these gatherings. Ofttimes, the expense of these conferences is  borne out of his own pocket because CAMTAN’s funds cannot cover the cost and  meet its clients needs. Public education is a major component of the awareness  outreach. The impact of health irregularities of all kinds are the focus of community  health outreach efforts. For CAMTAN, these ministries are vital in alleviating  community health challenges.  CLARKSVILLE MONTGOMERY COUNTY TENNESSEE CDC Healthy Living Health Department                                      @Clarksville Branch 5582 2009 All Rights Reserved Powered By Dpp Productions We Need Your Help CAMTAN is always in need of and appreciative of cash donations. Be it personal, business, organizational or house of worship in origin, financial donations are welcome. For more info on how you can help, write them at: CAMTAN, 1325 Dodd Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Call at 931- 647-5777.