WISCONSIN
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
ASSOCIATION
Serving Wisconsin Community Health Centers
WISCONSIN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
Updates & Resources
August 2020
Essential Workers
WPHCA is proud to serve the 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) also known as Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the state of Wisconsin. Community Health Centers around the state have been working hard to provide care to their community members during the current pandemic. This newsletter includes information on Community Health Centers' priorities, resources, and stories from patients and centers. Please do not hesitate to reach out to WPHCA with any questions, concerns, additional information, and constituent support.
IT'S NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK!
WPHCA is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Wisconsin Community Health Centers from their response to the current public health crisis to providing care and access to patients. Community Health Centers across the state work hard every day to serve the most vulnerable. We are proud of our Health Centers and thankful for our health care providers. Check out WPHCA's social media for more updates and information throughout the week!
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER?
HRSA supported community health centers provide comprehensive primary and preventative health care services, which include medical, dental, behavioral health, and substance use care, plus connections to enabling and social services. Community Health Centers are:
  • Private or public not-for-profit
  • Located in or serving high need communities
  • Governed by a patient-majority board of directors
  • Able to provide supportive services that promote access to health care
  • Able to provide services to everyone,with fees adjusted based on a patient's ability to pay.
"The care I receive from the staff is outstanding, and for the first time, I felt valid." 

Beloit Area Community Health Services (CHS) patient, Brett, is a veteran and active member in local theater. "I found myself in a tough situation. I became unemployed and uninsured and finding access to healthcare was challenging. I was not eligible to qualify for Veterans benefits or Badgercare and it seemed like all the doors for options were closing. I explained my situation and I was connected with the clinic's social workers that helped guide me to resources that could help me get back on my feet. Eventually, I did just that. I became employed but even after I became insured, I continued to come to the clinic because there was no need for me to go anywhere else. The care I receive from the staff is outstanding, and for the first time, I felt valid." 



WHERE CAN YOU FIND A COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER?

Community Health Centers are located across the state of Wisconsin, from urban areas in Milwaukee and Madison, to rural areas in the North woods and central Wisconsin.
WI HEALTH CENTERS RESPOND TO COVID-19
Wisconsin's 17 Community Health Centers (CHCs) responded swiftly and efficiently to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Health Centers quickly operationalized telehealth services, emergency dental services, telephone triaging, respiratory clinics, testing capabilities, and COVID response lines while continuing to care for the most vulnerable patient populations and supporting the management of their chronic diseases. Health Centers provided care for patients while protecting the safety of their providers and continued to increase support to the communities they serve. See below for additional information on Community Health Centers and COVID-19 recovery, including needed legislative action. Health Centers focus areas include telehealth, PPE, dental operations, special populations, social determinants of health, testing, tracing, and workforce.
MILWAUKEE'S 5 COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS EXPAND ACCESS TO COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
All five organizations increased testing capacity and now offer COVID-19 diagnostic testing and care for their patients as well as community members without a regular doctor who have COVID symptoms. The expansion of COVID diagnostic testing at Community Health Centers (CHCs) was made possible with support from the state and county Emergency Operations Centers coupled with contributions from other community partners; including local health systems.

“It is critical that all people in Milwaukee have easy access to COVID-19 diagnostic testing and health care services in their own community -- especially those communities hit hardest by this virus,” said Jenni Sevenich, CEO of Progressive Community Health Centers. “Community Health Centers are there for you if you don’t have a regular doctor or usual place to get health care services.”

This expanded diagnostic testing is a collaborative effort among the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, Milwaukee’s five Community Health Centers, the area health systems and other members of the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership as well as the city, county and state to increase access to diagnostic testing in neighborhoods most impacted by the coronavirus.

“As Community Health Centers, we are dedicated to caring for residents who are underserved or may not have access to health care services,” said Tito Izard, MD President/CEO of Milwaukee Health Services, Inc. “Our centers help increase access for crucial primary care needs by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language for patients. We will never hesitate to rise to the occasion to ensure our community is given an equal opportunity to be healthy - no matter what it takes.”
MILWAUKEE STATE LEGISLATORS & STAFF: YOU'RE INVITED!
Join Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, Progressive Community Health Center, & Sixteenth Street Community Health Center for a Town Hall update! Two options to join! A zoom link will be sent after you have RSVP'd. Please RSVP below:
As the backbone of the health care safety net, health centers provide cost-effective primary and preventive care that helps people get and stay healthy. But what you might not know is that health centers don’t just keep people healthy: they also help create a healthy economy. WPHCA has focused on 5 policy priorities at the state and federal level that would help increase access, care, and support for the communities that health centers serve. These five priorities are:

  • Increase to the State Community Health Center Grant
  • Long-term, Stable funding for Community Health Centers
  • Strengthening Medicaid for Patients
  • Increase Funding for the Health Profession Loan Assistance Program
  • Expand Medicaid Coverage for Pregnant Women to One Year Post-Partum
Click the photo to read
more about health center
policy priorities including
the issue, why it is important,
data, and the solution.
Migrant Seasonal Agricultural Workers Project
With the help of stakeholders around the state, Wisconsin’s migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAWs) and employers are successfully meeting the challenges brought on by COVID-19 to ensure their health and safety, as well as that of the surrounding communities. Family Health La Clinica Community Health Center, the only Migrant Health Center in the state of Wisconsin, in partnership with the Wisconsin Farmworkers’ Coalition, has extended a statewide education and outreach program targeted specifically to serve this important sector of the state’s economy. Through testing for COVID-19 and awareness on how to keep safe from contracting and spreading the virus, food producers who employ MSAWs across the state can ensure the secure continuation of our nation’s food supply.  
The Education and Empowerment for Wisconsin Migrant Seasonal Agriculture Workers project began in April and will extend through the end of 2020. Since it began three months ago, this rapid-response project has provided COVID-19 education, screening and testing to over 2,000 workers at farms, canneries, housing sites, and other agricultural worksites across Wisconsin. In addition to screening, testing, and education for MSAWs and their employers, twelve comprehensive worksite and housing assessments across the state have been provided to date. 
For more information, to access educational and best practice resources, or to submit a request for assistance, agriculture employers should visit famhealth.com/wi-msaw-covid-19 or call (920) 787-9450. All assessments, education, and testing are provided free of charge to both workers and employers across the state of Wisconsin. Support during COVID-19 infections and outbreaks is also being provided to MSAWs and employers through this project.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wisconsin's 17 Community Health Centers served over 300,000 patients. Including:

-Almost 5,000 patients experiencing homelessness
-Over 4,000 School based patients
-3,500 Veterans
-1,200 Seasonal Agricultural Workers

To see more data on Wisconsin Community Health Centers check out our most recent UDS Brochure. Make sure to check back in soon, our newest data will be released in the next few weeks!
NorthLakes has introduced new services in two communities: Dental in Hurley and Recovery in Turtle Lake. The expansion of dental services in Hurley required renovating and moving into a larger building. Dental services in this northern Wisconsin community began in June.
NLCC's Turtle Lake’s recovery program, providing care to those afflicted with Substance Use Disorder, also began in June. When NorthLakes opened in Turtle Lake there was one dentist in a small storefront with a lunchroom in a cramped basement. Now this clinic is operating in a new building offering Dental, Recovery, Behavioral Health, Chiropractic, Health and Wellness supports and anchors a highly established presence in the local schools. There is even a therapy dog, Dave!
COVID-19 required an institutional pivot on a variety of levels. One that has been very successful and helpful to our patients has been the ability to deliver care virtually. In a very short amount of time NorthLakes was able to provide services while helping to keep our patients, providers, and communities safe from COVID-19 exposure. This practice also cut down on wait times and no shows. These are big pluses for these challenging metrics. Services offered virtually include Behavioral Health, Medical, Chiropractic, Optometry, Dental, and Pediatric therapies. Community Health Workers also virtually met with patients and non patients alike, to address the social drivers of health which is an important differentiator for us. Our clinics have remained open and are seeing patients the traditional way as well!
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS IN THE NEWS
Celebrating Juneteenth Day, "Conquer Covid-19 Safety Kit Giveaway"
Milwaukee Health Services, Inc celebrated Juneteenth Day, Friday, June 19 2020, with a Conquer Covid-19 Safety Kit Giveaway. Patients and community members were able to get tested, speak with Cream City Medical Society Doctors, and received drive thru Covid-19 safety kits. This included a lunch bag to go and a kit with hand sanitizer, mask, and more!
THANK YOU!