From Health Center Week: "The second week of August each year is dedicated to recognizing the service and contributions of Community, Migrant, Homeless and Public Housing Health Centers in providing access to affordable, high quality, cost-effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people in the U.S. This year's commemoration is special because 2010 also marks the 45th Anniversary of the creation of the Health Centers Program." Rochester Primary Care Network is proud to play its role in providing access to quality care at medical homes and dental homes by serving our communities through our Health Centers and affiliates. Stay tuned for more exciting details!

Generous sponsorship from MVP funds RPCN’s Community Health Initiative Fund (CHIF), which supports start-up community-based initiatives to improve the health status of uninsured individuals and the working poor, children under age 18, and adults over age 50 in greater Rochester. Here are some recent recipients of CHIF grants.

Promotores de Salud (“promoters of health”) is a program of the Ibero-American Action League. Promotores are bilingual outreach workers who have engaged nearly 6,000 residents through door-to-door and street outreach, identifying people in need of health services and/or healthcare coverage, and connecting them to the resources that meet those needs. Individuals with targeted health conditions receive patient navigation services to get to doctor’s appointments, understand their health conditions, and make healthier choices that improve their health status. The 2-year pilot utilized CHIF funds to leverage support from the New York State Health Foundation, Monroe Plan, MVP, and the Monroe County Office of Mental Health.

Comienzo Sano (“healthy start”) provides training, case management, and support services to expectant mothers, most of whom are members of Rochester’s Latino community. Having identified a great need among this population for prenatal services, and working in conjunction with Clinton Family Health Center (noted for its excellent cultural competency in the Latino community), the Perinatal Network has had a significant impact on the health of both expectant and recent mothers as well as on their children. Neonatal intensive care cases have declined measurably as a result of this effort. Babies are starting life healthy, not in distress.

The Information and Referral Program places outreach workers directly in the City School District’s parent information centers. These workers help connect families with a range of resources, including referrals to medical and dental centers, that accept patients regardless of their insurance status of ability to pay. In many cases, these are people new to Rochester with little or no information on what services are available or where to turn for help. Other referrals are provided for social services available in the community