WILMINGTON — Baseball legend Yogi Berra once said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

HealthFirst for Clinton County says, “If you get asked to take a survey to gauge the health and wellness of our community, take it.”

HealthFirst, the community foundation that supports causes and initiatives that promote good health, is collaborating with Clinton Memorial Hospital, the Clinton County Health Department and others to sponsor a comprehensive community health needs assessment over the next couple of months.

Conducting the phone survey, focus groups and other assessment programs is Professional Research Consultants of Omaha, Neb., a nationally recognized research firm that has conducted these assessments in hundreds of communities throughout the United States over the past 21 years.

The results of the survey will help its co-sponsors, area non-profit organizations and other important community groups identify health needs and determine the best utilization of resources for the healthy benefit of all.

HealthFirst has assets of $3.8 million. Funds are part of the Clinton County Foundation’s assets of more than $8 million and are held in the trust department of Peoples Bank in Wilmington.

HealthFirst supports the social service, pharmaceutical and transportation needs of area residents with documented need for assistance identified and screened by area social workers and case managers. Funds are distributed directly to area pharmacies, transportation companies, durable medical equipment suppliers and other agencies on behalf of these uninsured and underinsured individuals.

HealthFirst has also supported other recent community initiatives such as the Wilmington skate/splash park and a new community diabetes education program being done in collaboration with the Clinton County Health Department.

HealthFirst also funds the Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) in a collaboration with the Clinton County Commissioners and the Clinton County Health Department. PMAP assists area residents in applying for free and/or reduced cost medications from pharmaceutical companies.

The program, which is coordinated with a referring physician, is located in the Clinton County Annex, 111 S. Nelson Ave., Suite 10, Wilmington. The phone number is 937-481-2138.

Donations to HealthFirst can be mailed to HealthFirst for Clinton County, 111 S. Nelson Ave., Suite 10, Wilmington, OH 45177. Like and follow their new Facebook (HealthFirst for Clinton County) and Twitter pages (HealthFirst@HealthFirstCC).