City of Racine seeks to open Federally Qualified Health Clinic

RACINE, WI| by Lauren Anderson| May 2, 2019

Original article can be found at: https://www.biztimes.com

The City of Racine is seeking federal approval to create a Federally Qualified Health Clinic in partnership with the United Way of Racine County and Racine Unified School District, leaders announced Wednesday.

Leaders from the city of Racine, Racine County, United Way of Racine County and Racine Unified School District announced the plans for the new FQHC.

The city has submitted an application to the federal government for the new Racine Community Health Center, which would occupy a 5,000-square-foot space at Julian Thomas Community School, 930 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.

The clinic would offer primary care, case management, health education, behavioral health, and dental care in one of Racine’s most under-served neighborhoods, leaders said.

Construction on the garden level of Julian Thomas Elementary School is scheduled to begin in June and be completed before the end of summer. The federal government will make FQHC designations toward the end of summer, at which point the city would have 120 days to open the clinic.

The city intends to open a clinic at the site if it is not awarded the FQHC designation this year.

Through the United Way and RUSD partnership, the organizations have committed to allocate state Community Program and Services Fund revenues to remodel the area within the school building.

Over the past year, the city’s health department and Racine County Human Services Department have organized a coalition of government, health care, business, faith-based, community and philanthropic stakeholders to evaluate the need for a FQHC. Following listening sessions and a community needs assessment, the stakeholders determined the need for a FQHC was urgent.

“I’m proud of the work we have done over the past year to find solutions to address the disparities in health care that exist in our community,” said Cory Mason, mayor of Racine. “We know low income and under-served populations in the city and county have faced major institutional challenges in accessing health care. Racine is currently the largest city in Wisconsin without an FQHC. Locating a permanent FQHC in the city, will be a catalyst to create more access to affordable high-quality health care, close health care disparity gaps, and offer healthier lifestyle options for our residents.”

Ascension Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert Health and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin will provide resources and technical expertise to help the clinic, city officials said. The hospital systems will provide direct referrals to the health center.