FRHD increases affordable public health services grants

FALLBROOK – At its regular board meeting June 14, the Fallbrook Regional Health District (FRHD) board approved $858,721.35 in affordable public health services for 16 applicant agencies providing 21 programs, accounting for a 35 percent increase – or $224,413 more – in public health services over the last year.

The no-cost health services will benefit about 75,000 low- and fixed-income patients facing the area's top health concerns, including cancer, diabetes and hypertension. The voter-approved special district collects roughly $1.6 million annually to cover health care provider shortages, uninsured Californians, low-income patients and underserved populations.

Since the closure of the Fallbrook Hospital, the district carried about $200,000 in annual costs to maintain the building as it sought a buyer. With the sale of the property to Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. to build the Fallbrook Healing Center, the district could offer greater health service coverage for the district’s communities of Bonsall, De Luz, Fallbrook and Rainbow.

"In addition to combating our top health concerns, Fallbrook Regional Health District identified through local emergency calls that our citizens experience a high rate of falls, which is the leading cause of death through injury to Americans over 65," said Bobbi Palmer, Executive Director of FRHD.

“Through coordinated efforts with our health and emergency partners, we now refer fall victims for in-home assessments upon first incident to reduce risk of catastrophic injury,” Palmer continued. “To support those fall and trip assessments, as well as physical activity needs, the district stepped up with greater support this year to our senior and disabled service providers to better serve our community.”

In addition to contractual services, FRHD directly operates health programs including the Community Collaborative Health & Wellness Committee, Community Resources Directory, Healthcare Heroes, Woman of Wellness (WOW), Wellness Walks, and North County Community Collaborative Health Initiative.

For fiscal year 2017-2018, the FRHD awarded community health contracts to the following organizations:

• Boys & Girls Club of North County: Summer water safety for 125 youth – $10,000
• Boys & Girls Club of North County: Triple Play designed to support youth health, stress management and positive relationships – $40,000
• Fallbrook Citizens Crime Prevention Committee: GANAS Mentoring Program – $10,000
• Fallbrook Family Health Center: Management of chronic illness for behavioral health patients – $100,000
• Fallbrook Food Pantry: Meal provisions serving 500 families weekly – $72,000
• Fallbrook Senior Center: Mobility and Exercise Program combating falls, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and heart disease –$12,600
• Fallbrook Senior Center: Senior Nutrition - Home Delivered Meal serving up to 70 seniors – $75,000
• Fallbrook Smiles Project: Celebrate Health program providing dental and health screenings, plus service resource connections – $71,500
• Foundation for Senior Care: Care Advocacy Program provides referrals and home visits for seniors and the disabled on fall prevention, health, financial security and housing transitional needs – $59,838
• Foundation for Senior Care: Care Van & Expanded Rides offer free transportation for medical visits, physical therapy, groceries and other errand needs – $68,773
• Foundation for Senior Care: Door Through Door Hospital to Home bridges post-hospital stay care – $50,919
• Foundation for Senior Care: Respite Support at the Adult Day Care provides support to caregiving and client with emphasis on local health disparities, trip or fall incidents, and use of emergency services – $29,583
• Healthy Adventures: Fallbrook Community Center Wellness Project offers La Paloma Elementary School students cooking, gardening and nutrition programs – $9,000
• Jeremiah's Ranch: Jeremiah’s Ranch Support Group for disabled families – $14,750
• Live Oak Park Coalition: Health Improvement Project for ADA Requirements – $40,000
• Mental Health Systems - North Inland Community Prevention Program: Fallbrook Youth Advocacy Coalition reducing use and abuse of drugs and alcohol – $9,249
• Michelle's Place: Breast Health Assistance Program offers early detection diagnostic services, surgical consultations, and treatment and recovery support – $24,000
• Palomar Family Counseling: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds provides behavior health services for Fallbrook Street and Maie Ellis elementary schools – $75,000
• REINS: Behavioral Health & Wellness Therapy –$65,000
• Trauma Intervention Program of San Diego: Trauma Intervention Programs – $9,000
• UCSD Eye Mobile for Children: Screenings, exams and eye care for low-income children – $8,500

The Fallbrook Regional Health District also has provided financial support for urgent care services over the last two years.