Treasure Coast Community Health

Since 1995, Treasure Coast Community Health, Inc. (TCCH), a not-for-profit health center, has been a community owned and operated health system, built on a foundation of public/private partnerships. Across our communities, state and nation, community health centers have achieved unparalleled success in improving access, improving health, and providing cost-effective, quality health care to individuals and families in need. Our goal is to provide a lifetime of the highest quality, most affordable, easily accessible, integrated network of healthcare from pediatrics through seniors. TCCH served approximately 26,874 patients during 2022, providing primary preventative healthcare services. TCCH providers reported 111,016 in clinic face-to-face patient visits in 2021 and 13,982 telehealth visits. The Chief Executive Officer and management staff are highly credentialed community leaders. All clinical staff is board-eligible or board-certified. TCCH's target population serves a multi-cultural population of all ranges of economic levels, including individuals whose income falls at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. TCCH serves as a federal safety net providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved, uninsured, underinsured, minority and working poor individuals. In 2022, approximately 64% of patients had income below the 200% Federal poverty level; 2% were greater than the Federal poverty level and 34% were unknown. Twenty percent of the patients served were uninsured and of the total uninsured of the uninsured 7.5% were children. Services are offered on a sliding scale with a minimal payment scale for those under 100% Federal poverty level. Our health programs are based on the following tenets to ensure that patients have access to a continuum of coordinated care and vital support services which can lead to positive health outcomes and healthier behaviors and lifestyles. TCCH provides comprehensive primary and preventative care using a primary care delivery model, called a Patient Centered Medical Home. This model integrates comprehensive care for medical, dental, and mental health/substance abuse services to all people regardless of socioeconomic status. In 2022, TCCH began offering infectious disease care. Anything that can be spread from one person to another, such as influenza, chicken pox, sexually transmitted diseases, measles, hepatitis, HIV, COVID and MRSA is an infectious disease. At times, a body is strong enough to fight off these diseases, other times medical help is required. Another new 2022 initiative is a new 1,880 square feet Gifford pediatric wing opened with four exam rooms, a private entrance and child-friendly space. An on-site pharmacy, conveniently located next to the pediatric wing, has most medications ready before families leave the facility. The Gifford location also offers on-site lab services, behavioral and mental health counseling and, thanks to a grant from Impact 100 IR, affordable vision services. During 2022, the site served 1,853 children with 5,016 visits. Regular visits keep children healthy and better able to grow and learn as they meet their developmental milestones. Breaking Down Barriers to Health Care - Outreach programs bring our highly skilled health care professionals out into the community to fill in the gaps by reaching out to people who confront barriers to care. In addition, our patient service hours are tailored to eliminate barriers to care through increased access. Children who experience poverty do not always have access to timely healthcare. They also carry the weight of family stress to school, sometimes suffering illness rather than add another burden. Parents want the best for their children and sometimes need extra help securing resources. In order to support student's wellness and education, TCCH joined a community school partnership school along with Children's Home Society of Florida, the School District of IRC and Indian River State College to create Dodgertown Elementary, This partnership increases graduation rate, student achievement, teacher retention, attendance, parent involvement and community support. Treasure Coast Community Health strives to help fill the need for affordable, quality health care. Creating Strategies for a Healthier Community - Focus on health and quality of life in Indian River County. Patient needs are identified with focused strategies and appropriate interventions developed to address chronic illness and other problems which impact overall community health. On May 21, 2022, TCCH began providing healthcare to incarcerated persons at the IRC Jail, the second nonprofit community health center in the state to enter into this type of agreement. As we care for the physical and mental health of those in need, we build a stronger, more economically viable community for all. With consistent support, adults feel empowered to make positive choices regarding personal health, which can lead to constructive change within their own lives and the communities to which they return. The year prior to TCCH managing care, 156 patients (12/month average) went to the emergency department with up to two deputies. Under TCCH, only 52 patients (6.5/month average) visited the emergency department. This is in direct correlation with incarcerated persons being able to have sick visits and care in the jail. Delivering Affordable, Patient-Centered Health Care - Unlike other providers, our centers rely on subsidies from federal, state, and other mixed payer sources to help cover the costs of services furnished to Treasure Coast Community Health patients. Many of our awareness programs, such as the women's health fund program, depend upon private tax-deductible donations from foundations and individuals to cover the program costs. Local governance ensures that care is patient-centered and responsive to the diverse cultures and needs identified within our community. A majority of Treasure Coast Community Health's volunteer board members are users of our center, representing the communities and the people served. Access to Care - Comprehensive primary health services cover all ages and include dental, nursing, laboratory, x-ray, and pharmacy as well as specialty, inpatient care referrals, and follow-up. Priority is placed on making health services easy for patients to access. Importantly, our health centers integrate the delivery of primary care with aggressive outreach, health education, counseling, translation, transportation services and other social services. Our Health Navigators provide case management support for patients that require additional services within the community that are not provided by Treasure Coast Community Health. Building Bridges of Support in our Community - Continuously seek community partnerships that enable us to enhance patient-access resources, which leads to growth and development and to remain at the forefront of leadership in the search for solutions toward a better approach in the delivery of health care. Treasure Coast Community Health stakeholders include academic institutions, foundations, businesses, federal, state, and local governments, community service organizations, hospitals, nursing homes, private physicians groups, churches, charitable organizations, and many others.