Treasure Coast Community Health

Treasure Coast Community Health, Inc. (TCCH), a local nonprofit health center, has been built on a foundation of public/private partnerships. Across our communities, state and nation, community health centers have achieved unparalleled success in improving access, health outcomes, and cost-effective, quality health care to individuals and families in need. The TCCH chief executive officer, along with highly credentialed management staff, focuses on this overarching goal to provide integrated healthcare, through high quality, affordable, accessible programs and services from birth throughout the senior years. In 2023, TCCH served 27,517 individual patients through 89,997 clinical and 12,487 telehealth visits; 3,840 patients were best served in a language other than English. All clinical staff are board-eligible or board-certified. TCCH serves a multi-cultural population encompassing all economic levels. Approximately 44% of patients had income below 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL), 3% were greater than the FPL, and 53% were unknown. 19% of the patients served were uninsured;15% of the total uninsured were children. TCCH programs and serves are based on community needs, ensuring patients have access to a continuum of coordinated care and vital support services which can lead to positive health outcomes, behaviors, and lifestyles. TCCH is a Patient Centered Medical and Dental Home. This care delivery model provides patients with integrated care across disciplines for complete wellness, encompassing behavioral and mental health, dental, medical, pharmacy and vision services. BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE: Since 1993, TCCH has filled healthcare gaps for an ever increasing number of people, including children. Through the infectious disease program and in partnership with our pharmacy team, TCCH is now able to test and treat Hep-C and test and provide PrEP for HIV. TCCH earned the Diabetes Education Accreditation Program by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). Accreditation represents high quality and the ability to better meet the needs of Medicare recipients and others affected by diabetes. TCCH is one of two ADCES accredited diabetes programs in the Treasure Coast area. The vision program expanded into our Gifford Health Center while our pediatric program opened a new location in our Vero 787 health center. The TCCH Vero 787 health center expanded with a 3,248 sq. ft. pediatric area with four exam rooms to better meet the needs of the community and the Medicaid population. This location is also conveniently located for patients in the 32963 area. Having insured patients from that area receive services at 787, enables us to sustainably provide services to those who are in need of assistance. Four additional operational staff were added to support this location as well. Remote patient monitoring became available to patients with a combination of diabetes, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Our mobile outreach grew into underserved communities with vaccinations, diagnostic services, and rapid hepatitis C and HIV testing and treatment. TCCH was honored to be named the fiscal agent of the Mental Health Court of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida that counsels and steers individuals away from incarceration, strengthens their mental health and wellness, and better equips them to handle life's challenges. Our Governing Board of Directors approved the necessary step of expanding into the western part of the county in addition to building a new pediatric center on our recently expanded Oslo campus. A sliding fee discount is available based on family size and income. TCCH serves as a safety net for the underserved, uninsured, at risk, and ALICE populations. Healthcare for all, regardless of economic circumstances, remains our core belief. CREATING STRATEGIES FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY: TCCH works to improve quality of life for all residents of Indian River County with strategic focus and appropriate interventions to address chronic illness and other problems, which impact overall community health. TCCH continues to make an impact at the Indian River County Jail, providing 15,147 medical visits, 7,140 mental health visits, and 1,277 dental visits. In 2023, emergency department visits dropped in half with an average of 6 visits per month. 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. Children who experience poverty do not always have access to timely healthcare. They also carry the weight of family stress to school, sometimes suffering through 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 has continued success with the 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. DELIVERING AFFORDABLE, PATIENT-CENTERED HEALTH CARE: TCCH relies on subsidies from federal, state, and other mixed payer sources to help cover the costs programs and services beyond our primary service lines. The women's health fund and dental outreach programs depend upon private tax-deductible donations from foundations and individuals to cover 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. Delivering affordable patient care includes facility maintenance, employee education and expansion projects. In 2023, TCCH embarked on a new: EPIC electronic health record including the MyChart app for increased patient communication, organization-wide customer service training, new windows and roof at Vero Dental, state-of-the-art optometry equipment at the Gifford location, hurricane shutters installed at Fellsmere and Vero Dental, GHC building stabilization and generator replacement, and a market analysis completed to solidify contracting an architect for the Oslo pediatric expansion and purchase of the West building. 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. TCCH health centers integrate the delivery of primary care with consistent outreach, health education, counseling, translation, transportation services and other social services. TCCH care coordinators 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: TCCH continuously seeks community partnerships that enable us to enhance patient-access resources and remain at the forefront in the search for solutions toward improving the delivery of health care. TCCH 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.