Transition to Community Health

A look back… CC opened in 2000 with four employees, focused on case management. Since then, it’s been constant changes to meet the needs of our clients and the community and to follow the guidelines of our funders (on-site clinic, HIV testing, volunteer program, mental health services, peer program, STD testing, dental clinic) In 2009, we began exploring the possibility of becoming a community health center (ex: North Central) because of changes happening in healthcare.

What is a Community Health Center? Health centers are community-based and patient-led organizations that serve people with limited access to health care. Located in or serve a high need community Governed by a community board composed of a majority (51% or more) of health center patients who represent the population served. Provide comprehensive primary health care services as well as supportive services (education, translation and transportation, etc.) that promote access to health care. Provide services available to all with fees adjusted based on ability to pay.

Community Health Centers Access to more services (on-site or through referrals)….  Health services: family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology  Diagnostic labs and radiologic services  Preventive health: prenatal, perinatal, cancer screening, well-child services, immunizations, health screenings, pediatric eye, ear and dental, family planning, preventive dental  Emergency medical  Pharmaceutical  Referrals (specialty care, mental health, substance abuse)  Case Management  Enabling services: outreach, transportation, interpreting, education

Reasons for Transition Opportunities with ACA for PLWHA Potential changes in HIV funding National move with ACA for HIV care to be provided through community health centers as opposed to stand- alone HIV clinics Belief in the quality of our model of care and benefit it could have on broader community Belief that there is unmet need that we could meet CHC’s get special benefits that we don’t get now that could help us serve you better

Tentative Timeline July - December 2013: Preparing for grant application  Identifying Partners  Gathering Data  Gathering Support Communication  Staff Forum

Tentative Timeline January – June 2014: Writing grant application  Confirming Partners Communication  Client Forum  Volunteers  Funders/ Supporters  Community Partners

Tentative Timeline Now – September 2014:  Planning for transition  Notification about grant expected September – December 2014:  Final preparation to open doors to community if receive grant  Transition staff and facility based on growth  Possible slow start-up with additional patients January 2015:  Tentative start date for community health if receive grant

Clients Questions/ Concerns We have heard from some of you already…. Will we be communicated with about the change timely? Will we have the same services? Will my HIV status be kept confidential? Will we have to share space with sick children? Will it be harder to get an appointment with more clients being seen? Will Catawba Care still have that sense of community? We are concerned about the loss of community for PLWHA What will stay the same? What will change? Will we get a new name and logo? Will we stay in the same location? Will we still have the quality of care and relationships with staff that we have now? Will we still do HIV prevention? Others?