Westside Family Center Receives Federal Grant

The Westside Family Health Center (WFHC), located in Santa Monica, has received a $148,958 federal grant to assist with the clinic’s healthcare reform outreach and education efforts.

Funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used to hire two fulltime outreach specialists who—along with WFHC’s  already established team of fulltime Patient Care Coordinators—will be dedicated to educating the public about upcoming national health care reform.

“Educating the public on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been an ongoing process for us,’’ said Debra Farmer, WFHC’s Chief Executive Officer. “However, as the launch date approaches, it is critical that we reach and educate consumers and then motivate and assist them with enrollment into coverage.’’

WFHC teams will be working throughout Santa Monica and the Westside to provide education and information via presentations to small groups, one-on-one outreach to eligible patient populations, and host large format events such as WFHC’s popular Lunch & Learn series.

The WFHC began in 1974 when a group of dedicated community leaders and health care providers came together and started the Women’s Health Care Project as part of a larger social justice movement in Santa Monica. They helped women learn more about their bodies and their health. The service has now expanded to include prenatal care, pediatric services, adolescent health care and a family practice program that includes a strong healthy aging component.

A prenatal clinic opened in 1990 and two years later, a pediatric program was established in response to the growing number of uninsured children living on the Westside. With the rise of teen pregnancies and health issues related to young women and men an adolescent program began in 1994. In 1999 the Family Practice program was launched to provide care for general medical problems not covered by our other programs.

A Mobile Medical Unit was launched in 2011, and last year WFHC saw 9,562 patients in 30,925 visits.

Contact: Celia Bernstein, director of development (and a Palisadian) at cbernstein@wfhcenter.org or call (310) 450-4773, ext. 254.