Expanding care for patients in need

Expanding care for patients in need

St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation is supporting Family Health Services, a federally qualified health center and non-profit, to expand care for our most vulnerable community members in need.

Family Health Services plans to open a medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic, with pharmacy services in the city of Bellevue to serve the uninsured and under-insured. Philanthropic funding through the St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation will make the clinic a reality.

Last year, over 700 Blaine County residents traveled to Family Health Services Clinics in Jerome or Fairfield for care. Together, our vision is to expand access to services in Blaine County.

Family Health Services works to reach people who may be reluctant to access care or who may not be aware of how to access care. Often, those managing chronic disease fall into this category and end up needing urgent or emergency care that may have been preventable. Adding a location in Bellevue removes the barrier of missing work and/or school as well as incurring additional expenses related to transportation to receive services outside of Blaine County.

All services for the uninsured will be significantly discounted based on a patient’s Federal Poverty Level. Family Health Services also sees a high number of Medicaid patients, specifically in need of dental and behavioral health care. Many Blaine County behavioral health providers and dentists do not accept Medicaid.

Typically, these types of clinics can secure government grants to fund start-up costs. These government grants are based on median income and health statistics; Blaine County’s median income is too high, and its overall health statistics are too good to qualify for a government start-up grant. Without the philanthropic support, Family Health Services would not be able to provide these important and needed services to patients in Blaine County.

Family Health Services will employ two full-time Nurse Practitioners, one full-time dentist, one part-time hygienist, one full-time licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) counselor, one full-time pharmacist and bilingual support staff.

St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center and St. Luke’s Health System support this community health initiative.

Plans for Family Health Services Bellevue Clinic

Family Health Services has secured a lease for a 4,136 square foot building in Bellevue.

The building needs a remodel to accommodate the proposed services. Philanthropic support through SLWR Foundation will assist with the remodel and start-up costs including equipment, as well as financial support for the five-year lease. The clinic is slated to open in the fall of 2021.

Cost and Funding the Family Health Services Bellevue Clinic

The total projected cost to build, equip, furnish, and provide limited, five-year start-up funding for the Family Health Services Bellevue Clinic is approximately $1 million.

Funding

Without philanthropic support, Family Health Services would not be able to provide these important and needed services to patients in Blaine County. To date, a significant donation of dental equipment has been secured, along with equipment from St. Luke’s, and a donation on the building lease and construction costs. St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation, in partnership with our community, has taken on the challenge to secure the necessary funding.

To support this project, contact Megan Tanous (208) 727-8444 or visit www.slwrf.org

For information about Family Health Services visit www.fhsid.org