Collaborative breakfast includes financial update

Sixty individuals representing 30 healthcare concerned and related agencies participated in the Fallbrook Healthcare District’s Community Collaborative Breakfast, co-sponsored by Fallbrook Hospital, held January 24 at Fallbrook Public Utility District.

Fallbrook Hospital

Alex Villa, CEO of Fallbrook Hospital, spoke about collaborative programs of the hospital and the district, specifically pointing to the annual Prostate Screening Program, the Healthy Woman Program and the recently initiated twice-monthly cholesterol screening program offered at no cost to those who sign up.

Villa shared information pertaining to the hospital’s physician recruitment efforts and provided information on the recently completed $15 million endoscopy/surgery suite now in use at the facility.

Villa also said there were ongoing discussions between the district and the hospital in regard to the parking situation at Fallbrook Hospital.

Healthcare District

Fallbrook Healthcare District Director and Treasurer Hollis Moyse reported that in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, the district’s net assets increased $1,166,211 even after distributing $387,882 in grants and community healthcare programs.

Funds were enhanced due to property tax revenues of $1,591,450 and interest income of $269,019.

Moyse explained that district expenses for the year increased $125,679, the principle reason being $94,485 spent on a long-range planning study. The study established seven ‘strategic initiatives’ for the time period 2008-2012.

The seven initiatives include: community awareness, communication and collaboration, asset management, community needs, integrated planning, grant program development and board commitment.

It was stated that the district has reduced its budget by 15 percent in consideration of the foreclosures and assessment reduction applications filed with the county that are destined to affect the tax base.

Despite the bleak economic outlook, the district approved $404,174 in grants to local nonprofit organizations in support of their healthcare programs.

Organizations assisted with grants in the past were encouraged to aggressively look to other prospective donors for their future financial support.

A new offering from the district is the Community Healthcare Resource Directory. This blue single sheet of paper lists healthcare resources available to seniors, youth, and adults.

There are 162 services listed in the directory. A sampling of items includes resources for mental and dental health, nutrition, transportation, Medicare, senior services, legal services, medication assistance and domestic violence.

The directory will be made available by the district to agencies, schools, healthcare providers and individuals. Many organizations collaborated on the effort to compile the directory. [To request one, call (760) 731-9187.]

The district will hold a special grant-writing workshop on March 14 to help organizations be as successful as possible when applying for grant funds.

While the district itself might not have the funds they have had in the past for grants, the tools taught in the workshop will benefit when applying for those that are available.

The breakfast concluded with a variety of community announcements, including the fact that the annual Health Fair, sponsored by the Fallbrook Healthcare District, is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fallbrook Community Center.

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