About Us — News & Events

Feb. 3 -- The Health Federation's initiative to promote integration of behavioral health into primary care is featured in this month's edition of the online Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal.  The article highlights the development of this model of care, its implementation in several community health centers, the process of creating a reimbursement mechanism, and indicators of success, including an estimate that the model saved the health care system over three million dollars in 2008.

Dec. 22 -- Esperanza Health Center and Greater Philadelphia Health Action(GPHA) have received a total of 10.4 million dollars to expand existing health center locations and develop new ones through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The two Philadelphia organizations, both Health Federation members, were among 85 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's) granted funds through the "Facilities Investment Program."  This is the fourth round of ARRA grants benefitting community health centers.  The grants were extremely competitive, with over 620 health centers competing for funding.

Esperanza, a faith-based health center in North Philadelphia that primarily serves the Latino community, will use their $6.5 million grant to build a new health center at Sixth and Cayuga Streets in the Hunting Park neighborhood. The Center, Esperanza's third location, will include a wellness facility to help patients improve their health and fitness.

GPHA plans to use their $3.9 million grant to expand their current site at 50th Street and Woodland Avenue as well as to add a nearby site that will provide dental care and behavioral health services.

 

 

Dec.14- The Health Federation’s Early Head Start Program was awarded $472,081 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This grant will allow the program to expand to serve 60 additional children and families in the 19121 and 19132 zip codes.

Early Head Start is a child development and family support program for pregnant women and families with children ages birth to 3. In HFP’s program, specially trained Child/Family Advocates visit the homes of participating families weekly. The Advocates work with a multi-disciplinary team, including social workers and specialists in health, nutrition, community resources, and child development to meet families’ needs related to child health and development.

HFP’s program was one of nineteen Early Head Start programs in Pennsylvania receiving funds through the federal stimulus program. As a result of this funding, HFP will be hiring several staff. Please go to our job openings for more information.

Nov. 16 – Philadelphia’s community health centers have joined the Department of Public Health in a widespread effort to make the H1N1 vaccine available in neighborhoods throughout the city.  The city’s eight district health centers as well as many additional sites run by Philadelphia’s nonprofit, federally qualified health centers are currently providing the vaccine. See the full schedule of H1N1 vaccine clinics at: http://www.phila.gov/health/H1N1/h1n1fluclinics.html.

The vaccine is provided according to this schedule on a walk-in basis, free of charge to any Philadelphia resident in the priority categories, which are: pregnant women, children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years of age, household contacts or caretakers of infants under 6 months of age, adults 25 to 65 years of age with a significant medical condition, such as asthma, cancer or diabetes, and healthcare or EMS workers with direct patient contact.  

This effort represents an unprecedented level of collaboration between the City of Philadelphia and the full network of community health centers to confront a public health emergency. 

Nov. 30- Several health center organizations and staff have recently been recognized by national organizations for their important work providing access to high-quality health care for those most in need.

The National Community Based Organization Network, a group affiliated with the American Public Health Association, recognized two health centers -- the Health Annex of the Family Practice and Counseling Network, and Spectrum Health Services -- as Unsung Heroes at a recent reception during the APHA meetings in Philadelphia. The Health Annex was also chosen to host the reception, at which fourteen community based organizations were recognized for their contribution to their communities.

Lorraine Thomas, the Manager of the Health Annex, also received the Wellness Champion award recently from the National Nursing Centers Consortium.  Lorraine was recognized for the depth of her commitment to the Southwest Philadelphia community, her comprehensive approach to family wellness that extends to helping to meet the basic needs of her patients, the deep community connections that she utilizes to improve life in her community, and her effective focus on outreach.

Dr. Christine Lyons, an obstetrician-gynecologist at ChesPenn Health Services in Coatesville, was recently awarded the March of Dimes Achievement Award for Excellence in the field of Public Health at the annual Salute to Chester County Women event.  Dr. Lyons was recognized for her work with ChesPenn, as well as with Community Volunteers in Medicine.

Esperanza Health Center received a 2009 Best Practice Award from the Practice Partner Research Network (PPRNet). This recognition is given to health care providers who score above the 90th percentile nationwide for all practices enrolled in the PPRNet Electronic Health Record quality improvement program on at least two of three summary measures. 

Congratulations to all!