Center for Community Health Opens in Skid Row - 29/10/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Daigle
Edelman
P: 323-202-1427
Center for Community Health Opens in Skid Row to Provide
Healthcare Services to Nearly 9,000 Patients Annually
- Integrated Healthcare Delivery System to Help Improve Health
Outcomes and Overall Access to Care -
LOS ANGELES, October 29, 2009 — The Weingart Center Association, JWCH
Institute and the County of Los Angeles announced today the opening of the Center for
Community Health Downtown Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art medical facility that
provides integrated care to the more than 18,000 homeless and low-income people in
and around Skid Row. The 21,000-square-foot facility, located at 522 S. San Pedro
Street, is expected to meet the healthcare needs of nearly 9,000 patients annually. The
center will provide a variety of medical services under one roof, including medical,
mental health, substance abuse services, dentistry, ophthalmology and pharmacy. The
opening of the center represents more than five years of dedicated work by
collaborative partners and successfully demonstrates how important public-private
partnerships are in addressing the needs of the community.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to open a health center that provides
comprehensive services under one roof,” said Gregory C. Scott, president and chief
executive officer of the Weingart Center Association. “The Weingart Center is very
excited to be a part of this collaboration that provides the much-needed access to care
and a ‘medical home’ for the people in our community without the stigma associated
with lack of housing and poor access to health coverage.”
Los Angeles County’s estimated homeless population is the largest in the nation. On
any given night there are there are approximately 75,000 homeless people living on the
streets, of which 5,000 are located in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. According to the Los
Angeles Housing Authority, more than 74 percent are affected by depression, mental
illness, substance abuse, physical disabilities, AIDS/HIV related illnesses, Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder and other chronic health conditions. Hospital emergency
rooms are the primary source of healthcare for 48 percent of these individuals who lack
access to regular medical services.
“This new health center is a giant step forward as we work to meet the nearly
overwhelming need for quality healthcare services in and around Skid Row," said Al
Ballesteros, chief executive officer of JWCH Institute. “The integrated service delivery
approach will help to eliminate service duplication, maximize resources and expand
current services. “
The Center for Community Health emerged from the Skid Row Homeless Healthcare
Initiative created by the Weingart Foundation in 2003. The Weingart Foundation began
the initiative to address the unmet health needs of homeless individuals and support
improvements in healthcare delivery to enable access to care. Funding from the
foundation and other philanthropic organizations made it possible for community
organizations to develop this innovative approach to healthcare delivery.
“The Weingart Foundation is exceptionally proud to provide the lead gift for this
community health center,” said Fred Ali, president and chief executive officer of the
Weingart Foundation. “We would also like to acknowledge the other funders that joined
this long-term effort. The Weingart Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of
life in Southern California and this health center is an exciting culmination of community
efforts to address the important healthcare needs of individuals in Downtown Los
Angeles.
The County of Los Angeles is providing professional staff from various departments to
implement this integrated model of care. The Department of Mental Health will provide
mental health screening, assessment, treatment and medication support. The
Department of Public Health will provide radiology services and host TB medical clinics
on site to provide TB testing, treatment and directly observed therapy, as well as
substance abuse services through the DPH-Alcohol and Drug Programs Administration.
The Department of Health Services will provide HIV testing and treatment, and referrals
for mental health services and case management.
"The County of Los Angeles is proud to be a part of the unique partnership and opening
of the Center for Community Health," said Kathy House, manager of the Service
Integration Branch of the County’s CEO’s office. “The center provides a unique
approach to healthcare integration in the county which we hope will serve as a model
for replication.”
About the Collaboration
The opening of the Center for Community Health represents more than five years of
dedicated work by the collaborative partners and successfully demonstrates how
important public-private partnerships are in addressing the needs of our communities.
The Weingart Center Association dedicated one of its facilities for the center, led the
capital campaign and played an instrumental role in raising approximately $5.5 million
for the renovation of the building. JWCH Institute will manage the day-to-day operations
of the center and the delivery of medical services. The County of Los Angeles has
committed the redirection of existing resources and financial support for the center.
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