Description of Service Learning Site

I chose to integrate my service learning experience with my Capstone Project, which I am doing in the Fort Bend Family Health Center (FBFHC) in Richmond, Texas. FBFHC is a private, non-profit organization that was incorporated in 1975. It provides outpatient health care services to the Fort Bend county, regardless of the client's financial status or ability to pay. The agency provides services and programs such as WIC, The Community Pediatric Clinic, a comprehensive maternity program, The Community Adult Clinic, pharmacy services with discounted prices, and a mobile clinic that is stationed in Brookshire to provide services to Waller county. Satellite clinics are also located in Stafford where dental services are provided, Brookshire, and Missouri. The agency also offers behavioral health services from social workers, licensed professional counselors, and is in contractual agreement with a psychiatrist from El-Paso providing tele-video conferencing services.

The FBFHC provides primary health care services to indigent members of the community, who for whatever circumstances and reasons may not have any medical insurance coverage or ability to pay. In 2010, 60% of the clients seen in the clinic were Hispanic, 20% were African-American black, 12% were Caucasian, 7% were Asian/Pacific Islander, and <1% fell under the categoty of either Other or Not Known. The biggest age group seen last year were those < 5 years of age (37%), followed by 20-44 years of age (27%), 5-19 years of age (23%), 45-64 years of age (10%), and the least were over 65 years of age (3%).

Funding for the agency comes mainly from the United Way of the Greater Houston and the federal government under the community health center program. The Super Nutritious Action Program (SNAP) ran by a registered dietitian (RD) is a nutrition/diet and weight reduction and management program, which was funded by the Methodist/Baylor Community Health Fund.

Reflections:
It is encouraging to know that there are agencies such as the FBFHC that caters to the needs of the poor and the vulnerable of the community. In spite of the skyrocketing cost of health care, we could not ignore the fact that there are a lot of people around us who could not afford themselves a decent health care. Providing subsidized primary and preventive health care is one way to reduce the amount of unnecessary emergency visits in the Emergency Department and also admission for acute illness, both of which greatly impact the cost of health care. Being able to provide health care to the uninsured or under insured of the community is a great service to the community; one that addresses the issues of equitable and accessible health care to all.