Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader September 28, 2012 EXPANDED SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILES The Sarasota County Health Depart- ment, under a partnership with the Community Health Center of North Port Inc., a not-for profit 501(c)(3) organization, will offer additional services and expanded hours at the Health Department's Ringling location, 2200 Ringling Blvd., begin- ning Friday, Oct. 12. This expansion is the result of New Access Point satellite funding — $650,000 per year through 2016 — granted by the U.S. Depart- ment of Health and Human Services through its Health Services and Resource Administra- tion Bureau of Primary Care to the Sarasota County Health Department on behalf of the co-entities, a news release says. In addition to the funding, this grant placed the Ringling site under the North Port Health Center's Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) umbrella. In June, the Health De- partment's Children's Health Center also was granted FQHC status by HRSA. "Having all of our Health Department sites designated as FQHCs is positive for the com- munity because FQHCs and local health de- partments share a common mission to im- prove community health," said Sarasota County Health and Human Services Director Chuck Henry in the news release. "It also en- hances our ability to provide improved access for low-income and uninsured clients while allowing access to lower-cost medications, different reimbursement options and potential access to capital development funds." The weekday hours for adult and children's primary care, behavioral health, dental and immunization services at the Ringling site are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Primary care and dental services are provid- ed by appointment during the week. Saturday hours, for child and adult primary care only, will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Immunization services at the Ringling site are available on a walk-in basis, although appoint- ments are encouraged for adult and travel vaccinations, the news release notes. Health officials say that the services at the Children's Health Center at 17th Street, as well as the following services at the Ringling site, will remain unchanged: WIC, Healthy Start and Women's Health. The Ringling Health Center recently under- went renovations to accommodate the ex- pansion of services for families across all age groups, the news release adds. A full-time fam- ily practice physician and pediatrician are be- ing added to the current mix of medical staff, bringing the number from three to five. Health officials say existing and new clients who work will have more opportunities for appointments through the expanded hours. Under the new structure, no one is refused health care. However, anyone seeking these services must participate in an eligibility screening process and pay his fair share on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size, the news release points out. Families are advised that proof of Sarasota County residen- Page 58