Our Mission
Medically Underserved Have Access to Affordable, Quality Healthcare.
‌
‌
CEO Update
Randy Jordan, CEO
Back To The Basics
 
Whether a blessing or a curse, I’ve been in love with the game of golf most of my life. I played on my high school golf team and still enjoy an occasional round of recreational golf. It’s an amazingly complex and tormenting sport and success is elusive even though the description of golf is a simple as, “you put a little white ball into a hole.” You can spend lots of money getting your swing analyzed on a computer, trying to find the perfect golf clubs and getting fitted for the right golf ball, yet none of it seems to make you a better golfer. Professional golfer Raymond Floyd once said, “They called it golf because all the other four-letter words were taken.” Mark Twain described golf as “a good walk spoiled.” Even Billy Graham said, “the only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.” However, if you’ve ever taken a lesson, you know that the golf pro begins with three simple basics of the game, the grip, your stance and keeping your head still as you swing. And longtime golfers keep going back to these basics whenever their golf swings get out of whack. 
 
My golfing analogy is an encouragement to all of us in the free and charitable clinics movement to remember the basics. We’ve been bombarded by COVID-19 interventions during the past two years that have caused us to focus on things like testing and vaccinations and alter the delivery of care through telehealth. Before that, the social determinants of health were all the rage and most of medicine began to steer in the direction of social services with healthcare delivery seeming to be almost an afterthought. Then, you add the topic of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina and the basics of delivering free and charitable clinic services can get pushed into the background. So, from time-to-time it’s helpful to review the basics of what makes free and charitable clinics so special. First, we begin every day with a laser-like focus on what’s in the best interest of the patient – we truly deliver patient-centered care. Second, we’re obsessed with delivering the highest quality care within the constraints of limited funding. On that score, we should be looking into why our health outcomes measures on average have underperformed during the COVID-19 pandemic. And we should consider how to revive our tenacious fundraising dedication so that our work can be sustained. Finally, we should assure that all people who come in contact with our work – uninsured patients, volunteers and providers – are treated with equity and the dignity they deserve. Yes, we are living in a complex world right now, but these basics still define the wonder of North Carolina’s free and charitable clinics.
State Appropriation Update
Randy Jordan, CEO
Allison Kelly, Grant Manager

We wanted to provide a brief update on the status of our state appropriation to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Hear Randy and Allison share a brief history of our appropriations, what we know now and what we don't know quite yet, as well as next steps.
Quality & Clinical Support Update
Cindy Jones, Director of Quality & Clinical Support
2021 NCAFCC Annual Outcomes Survey
The NCAFCC Annual Outcomes Survey serves as a vital tool in telling the story about the good work our members provide to their patients and communities. To capture, track and measure the many components of our member organizations, the survey is divided into sections that help define the organization’s operations, patient demographics, programs, direct and indirect services provided and health gains for those being served.

All members are expected to complete sections A – C of the survey. Section D of the survey measures factors that influence patient health gains outcomes. To be eligible for the outcomes funding opportunity, members must complete this section of the survey. Outcomes funding will be granted to participating members in June.
The link to complete the 2021 NCAFCC Annual Outcomes Survey has gone out to the membership and completion is due by February 28.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certificate of Waiver
What is it?
  • Under CLIA, a laboratory is defined as a facility that performs applicable testing on materials derived from the human body for the purpose of providing information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or impairment of, or assessment of the health of, human beings.
  • As defined by CLIA, waived tests are categorized as “simple laboratory examinations and procedures that have an insignificant risk of an erroneous result.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines which tests meet these criteria when it reviews manufacturer’s applications for test system waiver.

Who needs it?
  • If your clinic performs simple laboratory analysis, such as urine dip sticks and finger sticks for blood glucose testing, your clinic is considered to have a laboratory and will need a CLIA certificate. These types of tests qualify as waived laboratory testing, requiring a CLIA Certificate of Waiver, regardless of how many tests you perform, even if you do not charge or do any third- party billing. To receive COVID-19 testing kits from the NC DHHS, Member clinics must have a CLIA Certificate of Waiver in place.

How to obtain a CLIA Certificate of Waiver:
Our Journey Towards Health Equity
Our Journey Towards Health Equity Update

Our Journey Towards Health Equity task force had their second meeting in January. Progress has been made on the Health Equity Convenings that all NCAFCC members will have an opportunity to attend in the near future. Objectives of the convenings include:

• To be a learning lab where we engage peers outside of the Task Force to become
comfortable about being uncomfortable.

•     A place to intentionally engage others in conversations about health equity.

•     A place to learn about health equity policies and practices. For example, accountability mechanisms to bring about positive organizational changes.

•     A place where we can figure out how to influence the Association, individual clinics and our communities to be more focused on health equity...being a building block for cultural change.

The task force is meeting this month to continue their valuable work so be watching for more information about how you can be engaged. 
Priceless Opportunity Part 2:
Operationalizing Free and Charitable Dental Services  
So...you’re considering offering dental services at your clinic. Great! But now what? If you have questions about what to do next, join us for Part 2 of our series, Priceless Opportunity, as we dive into operationalizing your vision. Dr. Zachary Brian, director of the North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative (NCOHC), will once again lead this second meeting, focused on the steps you should take to move forward with your plans. From assessment and readiness tools to startup budgets, equipment to practice management, and everything in between, you’ll walk away from the session with the knowledge you need to evaluate next steps. This session is a must-attend event for those interested in adding dental services to their free and charitable clinic’s service offerings. Hope to see you there! 
Clinics in The News
Media coverage of member clinics and the NCAFCC is steadily increasing. Our media consultant, Colburn Communications, is creating relationships with the media, securing interviews, and assisting in preparing for interviews. If you are contacted by the media for a story, let us know and we'll put you in touch with Colburn Communications who can work with you on messaging, tips, and making the most of your opportunity.

We are posting media stories on our website which you can see by visiting Clinics in the News. Special thanks to Amy Carr and her patient from Matthews Free Medical Clinic for taking part in the segment on WBTV on Your Side: Free Clinics Serving the Most Vulnerable. Randy Jordan and Tim Clontz, Executive Director, Community Care Center for Forsyth County, were featured on a recent episode of Triad Today.
Announcements and Resources
Welcome to New Clinic Executive Directors
Christy Collum - Mustard Seed Community Health

Welcome to our Newest Member Clinic
Unity Wellness Center in Winston-Salem

Samaritan Health Center has two positions open. Please share with anyone in your community who might be interested. Click below for more information on each position.

Shepherd's Care Medical Clinic in Zebulon is in need of a refrigerator to store medications. Please contact Torrance at torranceh@shepherdscareclinic.com if you have suggestions on where they might get one donated.

COVID-19 Testing Supplies Available from the State of North Carolina

Dispensary of Hope
The Dispensary of Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing charitable pharmacies and clinics with reliable access to vital medication generously donated by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Read their informational brochure and see their formulary.

NCAFCC Weekly Post
The Weekly Post goes out to the membership every Thursday and contains a weekly compilation of news and updates from the NCAFCC staff. Immediate alerts and Member specific correspondence will still take place, but we hope the Weekly Post will lessen individual email correspondence sent out by each NCAFCC staff member.
Upcoming Meetings
February








X
April
02xxRegion 5 & 7 Meeting / 10:00 am

16xxRegion 3 Meeting / 10:00 am

17xxRegions 1 & 2 Meeting / 10:00 am

24xxRegion 6 Meeting / 1:00 pm

28xxRegion 4 Meeting / 9:30 am

TBAxPriceless Opportunity: Dental Convening Part 2
Staff Members
Chief Executive Officer
ext. 104

Deputy Director
ext. 101
Director of Quality &
Clinical Support
ext. 103

COVID-19 Grant Manager
ext. 105
www.ncafcc.org
336-251-1111
Board of Directors
Board Chair
Tony Price
Moore Free and Charitable Clinic

Vice Chair
Krista Woolly, MS
Community Care Clinic of Rowan

Secretary
Janet Jarrett
Albemarle Hospital Foundation Community Care Clinic

Treasurer
John Price, MPA
NCORH - Retired

Lucy Vidal Barreto, DDS, MHA
The Open Door Clinic of Urban Ministries of Wake County

Sherri Fisher
The Good Samaritan Clinic of Morganton

Rosh Foskey

Michael Lischke, EdD, MPH
Northwest AHEC
WFU School of Medicine

John Mills, CPC
ECHO

Tchernavia Montgomery, MSW, LCSW
Care Ring
Community Partners
‌
‌