FRHD grows affordable health services

FALLBROOK – At its regular board meeting June 13, the Fallbrook Regional Health District board approved $910,416 in affordable public health service contracts for 16 applicant agencies providing 20 health-related programs.

The approved public-private partnership contracts account for a 15 percent increase in publicly-available health services over 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, hypertension, as well as behavioral health and food insecurity.

FRHD is a special district covering affordable community health needs for the low- and fixed-income residents of Bonsall, De Luz, Fallbrook and Rainbow. The roughly $1.6 million collected in voter-approved taxes supports more than $1 million annually in full spectrum community health services addressing top health disparities, including behavioral health, heart disease and stroke, as well as extended hour urgent care.

The contract awarding process changed up some this year. The Fallbrook Regional Health District Health Contracts Program awarded public funds to organizations that have or will create a program or service that: 1) will provide the district’s residents with preventative health services; 2) will complement the district’s future Wellness Center Program; and 3) aligns with the vision of becoming a Blue Zones community the year 2022.

“We’re stepping up our preventative health game this year through our public-private partnership contracts in an advantageous way that we believe will best serve our district,” said CEO Bobbi Palmer of the FRHD. “By supporting health services that complement our future Fallbrook Regional Wellness Center and align with us becoming a Blue Zone, we will transform into a community that actively supports living longer, healthier lives. That’s the ultimate goal of our health district.”

For fiscal year 2018-2019, the FRHD awarded community health contracts to the following organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs of North County for the Triple Play and Summer Water Safety programs ($45,990); Community Health Systems, Inc. for Integrated Women’s Health Services ($105,000); Fallbrook Citizens Crime Prevention Committee for GANAS Mentoring Program ($10,500); Fallbrook Food Pantry for Preventing Hunger in the Greater Fallbrook Area ($125,600); Foundation for Senior Care for Senior Care Advocacy Program, Senior Transportation Services, Door-Through-Door, Hospital to Home, and Respite Support at the Adult Day Care program ($219,527); Fallbrook Land Conservancy for Expanding Community Wellness Walking Resources ($10,000); Fallbrook Senior Center Service Club for Fallbrook Senior Center Home-Delivered Meals Program for Homebound Seniors ($78,750); Fallbrook Smiles Project ($75,075); Fallbrook Union High School District for Fallbrook High School Wellness Center ($20,000); Healthy Adventures Foundation for Fallbrook Community Wellness ($9,450); Jeremiah’s Ranch for Jeremiah’s Ranch Support Group ($15,487); Mental Health Systems for Fallbrook Youth Advocacy Coalition ($9,711); Michelle’s Place, Breast Cancer Resource Center for Breast Health Assistance ($25,200); Palomar Family Counseling Service for Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds and Early Childhood Success ($82,950); REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program for Behavioral Health & Wellness Therapy Program ($68,250); and UCSD EyeMobile for Children for EyeMobile for Children at UC San Diego/ Shiley Eye Institute ($8,925).

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.

The FRHD also has provided financial support for urgent care services over the last three years and during the June board meeting, the health district directors approved the extension of the A-Plus Urgent Care Extended Hours contract services at $10,000 a month until Dec. 31, 2018.