1. Journey from Free Clinic to FQHC
Monica Medina McCurdy, PA-C
VP, Healthcare Services
Project HOME
James Plumb, MD, MPH
Vice Chair – Community Medicine
Director, Center for Urban Health,
Thomas Jefferson Univ. Hospital

2. Who’s in the room? Free clinic staff?
Free clinics who already decided to pursue FQHC or Look-Alike?
Patients of free clinics?
Any hospital representatives present?
Any behavioral health providers present? Dental providers?
Charitable foundations?
Health insurers?
Health professions students?

4. The “M” in Project HOME: The First 18 Years
Jefferson Family Medicine starts formal resident continuity St. E’s
Services at St. Elizabeth’s start in partnership with Jefferson Family Medicine. Two Jefferson MDs with students see patients weekly. Continues to present time.
Philanthropist Steve Klein steps forward with interest in making major contribution to “wellness” initiative.
Project HOME is founded by Sister Mary Scullion (Exec. Director) and Joan Dawson McConnon (CFO)
1992
1997
2002
1989
JeffHOPE medical students from Thomas Jefferson University volunteer at a Project HOME shelter for chronically homeless men ( )
RN hired as Health Services Coordinator from
Physician Assistant and Office Manager hired. Site acquisition begins for future Stephen Klein Wellness Center
Original Home: St. Elizabeth’s Wellness Center: 1845 N. 23rd Street, Philadelphia 19121
Current Home: Stephen Klein Wellness Center, 2100 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia

5. Strategic Growth of the “M” in Project HOME: 2011-2013*
VP position approved in March to oversee growth of health care services (position filled Oct)
Architect selected; design of 28,000 sq ft Stephen Klein Wellness Center begins
Project HOME is awarded HRSA Health Center Planning Grant.
St. Elizabeth’s renovation completed (1 to 4 exam rooms)
2011
2012
2013
Keystone First 2-Yr Pilot Study initiated; part-time Nurse added; Behavioral health partners form City-funded coalition with Project HOME and Jefferson to provide on-site BH services.
Wellness Center Community Advisory Board, 1st Meeting; 3rd Jefferson Physician added
Full-time Director of Clinical Services (Physician Assistant) added; New Access Point Application submitted
NEW ACCESS POINT GRANT AWARDED FROM HRSA! FQHC STATUS OBTAINED!
*Also in 2013: Nurse increased to full time; Physician Assistant added; EHR system purchased; 100% design completed on new Stephen Klein Wellness Center; Financial Assistance Specialist, Receptionist, Medical Assistant, Community Health Worker, Healing Touch Practitioner added

6. *Between 2009 to now, when from 1 employee to over 40 employees
Strategic Growth of the “M” in Project HOME:
First Patient Satisfaction Survey
Opening of 340b Pharmacy
SKWC Ground-breaking
First HRSA Operational Site Visit
Expansion at Pathways, Center of Excellence
2014
2015
2017
2016
NextGen goes live; first time billing
First Medical Director hired; started service site at Pathways to Housing
SKWC OPENS! December 23, 2014 w/ Primary care & behavioral health
Opening of Dental Practice
Future growth, addition of new sites
2nd HRSA Operational Site Visit
*Between 2009 to now, when from 1 employee to over 40 employees

7. Where to start?
Read
Visit
Partner

8. Important websites Mechanics of Starting an FQHC
HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care
Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers
Health Federation of Philadelphia
FQHC Finance
National Association of Community Health Centers
Integrated Healthcare / Social Determinants of Health
SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions
Kaiser Family Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Professional Liability

9. Definitions, Acronyms FQHC vs. FQHC Look-Alike 330 Grant
Community Health Center vs. Special Populations Health Center (board requirements)
PPS Rate (Prospective Payment System)
Medicaid, Medicare, Dual-Eligibles
Medically Underserved Areas and Medically Underserved Populations
HPSA (Health Professional Shortage Area)
FTCA (Federal Tort Claim Act)
340B Drug Pricing Program
Uniform Data Systems

10. Develop Partnerships
Hospitals, Residency Programs, and Academic Health Centers
Behavioral health providers
Pharmacies
Health education
Affordable Housing
Legal
Volunteers
Emergency Food Pantries

11. Project HOME Jefferson Partnership

12. Thomas Jefferson University, located in Philadelphia, is dedicated to the health sciences and community health via education, research, and health services to improve the health of the populations we serve.

14. Department of Family and Community Medicine
Vision: The Department of Family and Community Medicine will transform healthcare to eliminate health inequities.
Mission: The Department will be a leader at Jefferson Health, nationally and globally in reducing health inequities by:
providing exemplary patient- and family-centered clinical care;
nurturing health professional students and physicians to be excellent clinicians, leaders, teachers and advocates;
promoting health and wellness through community based-care, partnerships and education;
generating new knowledge that impacts the delivery of comprehensive population and evidence-based care focusing on prevention and chronic disease management.

15. COMMUNITY MEDICINE/HEALTH
Care to vulnerable populations
Health promotion through programs and community engagement and partnerships
Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Environmental Health
Health Services Research
Social/Behavioral Determinants
Center for Urban Health
Community
Medicine/Health
Public Health
DFCM/TJU/TJUH
Primary Care
Center City, North and South Philadelphia
Project Home, Nationalities Services Center, Churches, YMCA, Senior Centers, Norris Square Civic Association, SHARE, PHS, Food Trust, Dixon House, South East Philadelphia Collaborative, United Communities, SEAMAAC, Refugee Mental Health Collaborative, Schools, YMCA, Federation of Neighborhood Centers, Welcoming Center, Maternity Care Coalition, PCA, PDPH
Mazzoni, Jeff HOPE, Refugee Health Center, YES, PATHWAYS, Steven Klein Wellness Center

16. Wellness Center – P R O J E C T H M Wellness Center Director
Housing
Education
Job Training
D and A Treatment
INTERDISCIPLINARY STREET CLINIC
RESPITE CARE
HOME VISIT PRG
JEFFERSON PRIMARY CARE
DENTAL CARE
adults, children
acute care, preventive screening, oral health education
INTEGRATION SERVICES
Wellness Center Director
Reception & Central Scheduling
Patient Navigator / Care Coordination
Targeted Case Management
Community Health Workers & Peer Specialists
Nutrition Education & Consultation
Child Care
COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CARE
Counseling/Prevention programs/Case Management: D&A, mental health, IPV, Child maltreatment
YMCA
Referrals from PH sites, Jeff Primary Care, JFMA, Mental Health Services, Physical Therapy
PHARMACY & LAB SERVICES
PHYSICAL THERAPY
NORTH PHILLY
“WALKING NEIGHBORHOOD”
PROJECT
Medical Legal Clinic
Center for Urban Health

17. Q&A about FQHCs or Look-Alikes?
about partnerships with Academic Health Centers?
other issues we did not cover?