February 18, 2000
Partners for Community access will introduce 17 new community outreach workers, called Community Partners, to North County community leaders at a kick-off luncheon on Thursday, February 17, 2000 at 12:00 noon at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.
The Community Partners Program, funded by The California Endowment and the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, will assist North County families to access health care and health insurance, and link families with health and social services resources. The 17 Community Partners will complete training and will be working in neighborhoods throughout the region.
Keynote speakers at the kick-off luncheon will include Nick Macchione, Deputy Director, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency North County. Community residents who have already benefited from these services will also participate in the program.
Partners for Community Access, Inc., is a non-profit health care collaborative whose members include Escondido Community Health Center, North County Health Services, Palomar Pomerado Health System and Vista Community Clinic.
These health providers serve the majority of low-income North County residents. Approximately 30% of North County residents currently do not have health insurance. A primary goal of the program is to increase enrollment in the Healthy Families for Children, and Medi-Cal insurance programs for low-income families.
"This grant to Partners for Community Access is part of a series of investments being made by The California Endowment to improve and enhance the health of Californians," said E. Lewis Reid, President and CEO. "We look forward to this grant furthering our mission to expand access to health are for underserved populations and promote improvements in the health status of all Californians." The grant was funded through The California Endowment's Communities First program, established to stimulate innovation in addressing persistent and emerging health challenges.
"We are fortunate to be able to provide this kind of resource within North County," commented Victoria Penland, President of Partners for Community Access. "Our organi-zation's mission is to enhance access to health care services to residents of North County, regardless of their ability to pay, through a partnership of health providers. This program benefits community residents as well as each of our member organizations."
For more information about the Community Partners program, call Barbara Mandel Pache at (760) 739-3581.
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