(ROCKWALL, TX — June 29, 2018) The Rockwall County Commissioners Court proclaimed the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month in the county during its meeting on Tuesday, June 26.
Rockwall County Judge David Sweet read out the following proclamation recognizing the positive impact of those who immigrated to the United States:
Whereas generations of immigrants who have settled in the United States from every corner of the globe have built our country’s economy and created the unique character of our nation; and
Whereas immigrants continue to grow business, innovate and strengthen our economy, and create American jobs in Rockwall County; and
Whereas immigrants have provided the United States with unique social and cultural influence fundamentally enriching the extraordinary character of our nation; and
Whereas immigrants have been tirelessly leaders not only in securing their own rights and access to equal opportunity, but have also campaigned to create a fairer and more just society for all Americans;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Rockwall County Commissioners Court do hereby proclaim the month of June as Immigrant Heritage Month in the county of Rockwall.
The Commissioners welcomed Royse City ISD teacher Ericka Ledferd and her mother Vilma Paredes, both immigrants from Argentina who became naturalized American citizens. Ledferd, who had initially contacted the Commissioners Court to request a proclamation recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month in the county, said coming to America was a lifelong dream for her mother. She told the court how proud they both are to have become American citizens and make a positive difference in their community.
“We are glad to be here and contribute to our community in a positive way. We love our country,” Ledferd said.
The court also heard a year-end report from the county’s Indigent Health Care Department for the Fiscal Year 2017 from the department’s director, Donna Mussotter.
The Rockwall County Indigent Health Care office pays for a variety of services for those who qualify, including physician visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital services, a maximum of three generic prescriptions per month, and limited diabetic supplies.
Mussotter reported the total expenditures for optional health care services, which includes items such as the diabetic supplies, came out to $423 in FY 2017.
“This is actually huge, because although the diabetic supplies are an optional service that we are not required by the state to provide, we keep those patients with diabetes out of the emergency room by providing these supplies,” Mussotter said.
According to Mussotter’s report, the department sent out a total of 123 application letters to those who might qualify for the indigent health care program, and had 59 of those applicants come in for screening interviews. Out of those 59, the department served a total of 31 clients who ended up qualifying for the program.
For those who don’t qualify for indigent health care in the county, the department refers them to other agencies such as Helping Hands who can best fulfill their health care needs. In FY 2017, the department referred 214 individuals to other agencies and made sure they received the care they needed.
“The Indigent Health Care Department goes above and beyond in identifying and understanding the needs of those in our community, and understanding the role of indigent health care,” Sweet said. “For those who qualify for indigent health care, you guys do an outstanding job of working with them to make sure that they receive the services they need. And if they don’t qualify, you don’t just wipe your hands clean of them. You have somewhere to send them to ensure their problems are addressed. Thank you for caring and being good partners with the providers of our community.”
In other action, the Commissioners Court unanimously approved:
- A request from the Rockwall County Historical Commission to use the Rockwall County Veterans Memorial area of the Rockwall County Courthouse located at 1111 East Yellow Jacket Lane to host a ceremony on November 11, 2018 at 2 p.m. celebrating the 100th anniversary of the WWI Armistice
- A three-month agreement with Kelley Atkins, M.S., LPC to provide mental health services for Rockwall County Detention Center inmates
- Authorizing repair services for some of the hail damaged county vehicles
- The release of FY2016 funds with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the Local Initiatives Projects contract number 582-14-40125
- A five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for seven tasers for the county constables and district court bailiffs
About Rockwall County
Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas, covering only 147 square miles, but it is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. The county comprises the cities of Fate, Heath, Mobile City, McLendon-Chisholm, Rockwall, Rowlett, and Royse City. Bounded on the west by Lake Ray Hubbard, it is a desirable residential community for the continuously growing Dallas Metropolitan area, offering spectacular sunset views of the Dallas skyline only 23 miles away.
Rockwall County | 101 E. Rusk Street, Rockwall, TX 75087 | 972-204-7000 | www.rockwallcountytexas.com
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