ORGANIZATION
MS Primary Health Care Association
YEARS
2003, 2004, 2006, 2007
ENSURING HEALTH CARE ACCESS
Technical Assistance for Community Health Centers
Technical Assistance for Community Health Centers
Recognizing the Community Health Centers’ vital role in providing quality health care to the uninsured and the under-insured citizens of Mississippi, The Bower Foundation has invested in the Centers’ future by supporting assessment of capital needs and technical assistance. The 22 Community Health Centers provide comprehensive medical, dental and other health care in over 154 clinics located in both urban and rural areas of the state, including more than 100 primary care delivery sites. Health services are also provided via school-based clinics and mobile units staffed by CHC employees. CHCs not only provide cost effective, preventive and primary health care to Mississippi’s vulnerable populations, but are also an important factor in the state’s economy.
With the rising numbers of uninsured patients and increasing levels of poverty, demand for health center services has never been higher. While additional federal operating funds can assist Community Health Centers to support increased levels of care to the uninsured, capital resources are in short supply for many Centers. As the membership organization for the 22 Community Health Centers, the MS Primary Health Care Association (MPHCA) served as the lead agency for the Technical Assistance for Community Health Centers Project. The purpose of the collaborative project was to provide technical assistance and financial analyses to assist the Centers in meeting the needs of their users.
The Bower Foundation provided funding over a period of four years in two phases to 15 of the 22 Community Health Centers to develop capacity and programs to respond to challenges and capitalize on opportunities. During Phase One, the following services and activities were accomplished:
(The remaining seven Community Health Centers in the MS Delta received technical assistance through another grant from a local community development organization.)
Additional technical assistance and financial analyses were provided in Phase Two as indicated below:
As a result of the technical assistance and training provided by this project, the Community Health Centers are better positioned to:
QUOTE FROM PAMPHLET ISSUED BY MPHCA:
With the rising numbers of uninsured patients and increasing levels of poverty, demand for health center services has never been higher. While additional federal operating funds can assist Community Health Centers to support increased levels of care to the uninsured, capital resources are in short supply for many Centers. As the membership organization for the 22 Community Health Centers, the MS Primary Health Care Association (MPHCA) served as the lead agency for the Technical Assistance for Community Health Centers Project. The purpose of the collaborative project was to provide technical assistance and financial analyses to assist the Centers in meeting the needs of their users.
The Bower Foundation provided funding over a period of four years in two phases to 15 of the 22 Community Health Centers to develop capacity and programs to respond to challenges and capitalize on opportunities. During Phase One, the following services and activities were accomplished:
- Economic Impact Analysis
- Capitol Needs Survey/Financial Trend Analysis
- Grant Writing Assistance
- Technical Assistance Needs Survey
(The remaining seven Community Health Centers in the MS Delta received technical assistance through another grant from a local community development organization.)
Additional technical assistance and financial analyses were provided in Phase Two as indicated below:
- Update of Capital Needs Survey/Financial Trend Analysis
- Identification of Physical Needs/Architecture Design Assistance
- Financial Technical Assistance
- Grant Writing Assistance
As a result of the technical assistance and training provided by this project, the Community Health Centers are better positioned to:
- Increase the number of uninsured and under-insured Mississippians receiving primary health care
- Identify the economic issues impacting their operations
- Assess their financial needs and capacity for debt
- Identify their specific facilities needs
- Improve their financial operations
- Apply for and receive adequate funding to renovate or expand their facilities in order to increase their services
QUOTE FROM PAMPHLET ISSUED BY MPHCA:
“Having such great doctors right here in Holmes County has brought a brighter smile to my face as I know it has to many others in the community who, like me, had to travel great distances to get OB/GYN services before they were available at Mallory.”L.S. of Lexington, MS – patient of Mallory Community Health Center