Founded in 1992, the Virginia Health Care Foundation is a non-profit, public-private partnership. Its mission is to increase access to primary health care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians. VHCF's vision is for all Virginians to have the medical, behavioral health, and dental care they need - preferably via health insurance - otherwise, through a well-financed, professionally run healthcare safety net (HSN; free clinics and community health centers) and via a sufficient and well-distributed health workforce. To that end, VHCF takes a multi-faceted approach, working on the following five fronts: 1) Maximize the number of Virginians with state/federal sponsored health insurance coverage; 2) Create or expand HSN practices to provide free or low-cost care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians; 3) Increase the number and improve the distribution of needed health professionals throughout the state; 4) Introduce and promote innovative service delivery models and best practices within the HSN (BH integration, Population Health, tele-mental health, are recent examples); and 5) Engage in health policy/systems development (e.g., adding adult dental benefit to Medicaid).
External link for Virginia Health Care Foundation
Richmond, US
Project Connect Outreach Workers at Neighborhood Health participated in several back to school events to help community members sign up for Medicaid/FAMIS. Need help completing a Medicaid/FAMIS application? Find an Application Assister in your area: https://lnkd.in/e-4NyZQB
Happy #therapistthursday! Meet Pranati Walker, a newly licensed Boost 200 particiapnt! has a master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University. She received her bachelor's in criminal justice and forensic psychology in 2007 from Virginia College. Pranati started as a Qualified Mental Health Professional in Virginia in 2013. After completing her master’s degree in 2022, Pranati began her journey as Outpatient Therapist Resident and a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee, offering services to children and adults. During her residency, Pranati conducted individual and couples therapy sessions and facilitated psycho-educational and substance abuse groups. Throughout her residency Pranati used various evidence-based modalities to fit the needs of each client. Pranati actively worked to increase her knowledge in various modalities and is currently looking to incorporate somatic yoga into her therapy practices. The BOOST 200 program was instrumental in aiding Pranati with successfully starting and completing her residency on time. “Knowing that the BOOST 200 program will pay for licensure-required Supervision for motivated Masters-prepared individuals, allowed me to have one less thing to worry about as I focused on completing the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. I received the guidance, support, and encouragement I needed throughout the time I was apart of the program.” Pranati’s passionate about her job, the services she provides to her clients, and the counseling profession. She considers herself a lifelong learner and always enjoys learning about new things and a better way of connecting with people.
Suicide affects every race, gender, ethnic group, and orientation, so it's important to know and spread the word that suicide is preventable, and that help is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is always available whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. #suicidepreventionweek
🪥Meet Dr. Suarez Friend, one of our Sign Up, Pay Down dentists! 🪥Dr. Suarez Friend comes to the Connect Health + Wellness following her completion of her dental education at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. She was also the recipient of the Hughes Dental Legacy Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year, where recipients are chosen for their high moral/ethical values, membership in organized dentistry/volunteer MOM projects, possess a balanced lifestyle, and are the child or grandchild or a dentist or dental professional. She completed her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech with a BS in Biochemistry, minor in chemistry and a BS in Applied Economic Management. 🪥Dr. Suarez Friend views dentistry as a way that she can give back to the community. 🪥Thank you to Delta Dental of Virginia, United Concordia Dental, and DentaQuest for your partnership in the Sign Up Pay Down program and for helping pave the way for dentists like Dr. Suarez Friend. 🪥Learn more about the initiative: https://lnkd.in/eFc5SZGQ
Meet another newly licensed Boost 200 participant: Ashley Goss, LPC! She says: "Boost 200 has allowed me to shift my focus from the growing expenses of obtaining licensure to getting quality supervision and a field experience that will allow me to make a direct impact on our community... I would recommend this program to any mental health resident looking to become licensed in the state of Virginia and wanting to contribute to the growing need of mental health services in our community." Learn more about Boost 200: https://lnkd.in/eQ22st3Y
VHCF’s Executive Director Debbie Oswalt presented on the work of VHCF-funded Project Connect Application Assisters at the Medicaid Boot Camp, organized by Delegate Mark Sickles to educate members of the General Assembly in Virginia. 💙 The Project Connect Application Assisters Conduct public awareness and outreach, and educate individuals and families about Medicaid/FAMIS; receive referrals from community organizations to identify eligible Virginians, and help them apply for Medicaid/FAMIS; help individuals/families collect verification documents, and submit them to the local Department of Social Services or the Cover Virginia Central Processing Unit; if enrolled, help the individual/family understand their Medicaid/FAMIS benefits; and If inappropriately denied, advocate on the individual/family’s behalf. 👀Here's a look at some of her presentation showcasing the hard work of these professionals! 👀 Here's a look at some of her presentation showcasing the hard work of these professionals!nt/
More back-to-school smiles from the team who comprises the newly opened School-Based Health Center at Carroll County High School. VHCF supports this important work through our Nurture Now: Helping Kids Shine initiative via a grant to TRI-AREA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER. ⬇️ Get to know these inspirational professionals: 💙 Front row, left to right: Secondary Schools Behavioral Health Educator and Outreach Worker Robin Graham; Family Nurse Practitioner Venessa Coake 💙 Middle row: Licensed Professional Counselor Hailie Cushman 💙 Back row, left to right: Carroll County Public Schools Community Schools Coordinator Emily Underwood; Licensed Practical Nurse Susan Huff. Learn more about Nurture Now, a VHCF initiative to help address the crisis in children’s mental health by providing basic mental health services in School-Based Health Centers: https://lnkd.in/e4G_yUDf
VHCF celebrates the health safety net workforce today! Thank you to all of Virginia's health care professionals dedicated to increasing access to primary health care for uninsured Virginians and those in underserved areas. Learn more about VHCF's workforce initiatives: https://lnkd.in/eUipMrKf
📚It's back-to-school season! Here are some photos from Cumberland Plateau Health District. VHCF is proud to support the important work Medicaid/FAMIS Outreach Coordinator Pat McGlothin does in the area via Project Connect . Here are a few of the recent events she's attended to help families and schools learn more about health coverage: 💙 Pat attended Communities In Schools National Office event in Bristol, VA to help 150 staff members learn more about health coverage for children. 💙 Pat also attended a back-to-school event sponsored by People Inc. and Aetna, a CVS Health Company in Russell County and shared more about how to renew Medicaid coverage. 💙 Finally, you can see Pat at the Mission of Mercy event held in July at Wise to share Information about Medicaid and FAMIS Programs. Learn more about VHCF’s Medicaid/FAMIS Outreach & Enrollment initiative: https://lnkd.in/g3pvt-24
VHCF welcomes Joanna Fowler as the newest member of our team! She is VHCF’s Director of Health Insurance Initiatives. Joanna is an experienced health policy and operations analyst and has worked extensively on various initiatives related to coverage and access to care across several organizations, including while serving in previous roles as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services and the Senior Advisor to the Director of the Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the component of CMS that oversees health reform and the health insurance Marketplaces. Meet the other members of VHCF’s dedicated team are listed here: https://lnkd.in/eW4DSgSz We are looking forward to working with Joanna!