Oral Health Initiative Extended For CCHN
Thanks to a recent decision by the First 5 Commission of San Diego County to extend its contract, the Community Clinics Health Network (CCHN), a subsidiary of the Council of Community Clinics (CCC), will continue funding member clinics and other community partners to provide oral health treatment and education for young children and pregnant women in San Diego County through March of 2008.
Media Contact: Vince Heald or Talin Hartounian (858) 453-9600
CCC Contact: Stephen O'Kane (619) 542-4300
Based on the merits of CCHN's success in supporting comprehensive countywide oral health services, the First 5 Commission recommended a one-year contract extension through March of 2008, with two additional option years through March of 2010.
"Extending this contract will provide additional funding needed for clinics and other partners to continue to provide dental care to tens of thousands of children ages five and younger, thereby reducing the number of children with oral health disease," explained Kathlyn Mead, CEO of the Council of Community Clinics, which oversees the CCHN. "By working together with our partners, we are able to coordinate a full scope of services to children, as well as educate parents and offer training to dental and medical providers."
The First 5 Commission of San Diego authorized funding for the Oral Health Initiative in 2003 in an effort to increase the number and percentage of children ages 0-5 who receive annual dental exams and to reduce oral health diseases, including baby bottle tooth decay and dental caries. The Commission was formed in 1998 after California voters approved Proposition 10, which levied a tax on tobacco products to fund programs that promote the health and well-being of young children. It is responsible for allocating San Diego County's Prop 10 funding.
Since April of 2005, the CCHN has supported countywide oral health services by establishing a coordinated system of culturally and geographically-inclusive care among its collaborative partners, which include 15 affiliated community clinics, Rady Children's Hospital, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Share the Care program, The First 5 Commission of San Diego County, and the County Office of Education. It also incorporates into this system provider capacity building, convenes a steering committee, creates linkages among community-based agencies and county programs, identifies and shares best practices, provides training for service contractors, and supports quality improvement and evaluation.
Since it first received funding for the initiative from the First 5 Commission of San Diego, the CCHN has significantly surpassed nearly all of the annual goals established by the Commission. Clinics provided oral health screenings to almost 25,000 children, dental exams to over 12,000, and treatment to almost 9,000 patients. In addition participating organizations educated over 10,000 parents on the oral health needs of young children.
The Council of Community Clinics (CCC), which is a private, nonprofit association, supports 17 community clinic and health center organizations operating more than 80 primary care sites throughout San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside Counties. Its mission is to represent and support community clinics and health centers in their efforts to provide access to quality health care and related services for the diverse communities they serve with an emphasis on low income and uninsured populations. The CCC offers its member clinics services such as advocacy on health policy issues, fund development, mental health services, and emergency preparedness.
The Community Clinics Health Network, one of two CCC subsidiaries, provides quality and disease management programs, contracting services, and information technology support, including implementation and support of clinical information systems. The other subsidiary, Council Connections, offers group purchasing for over 430 community clinics and other non-profit organizations with more than 2,200 locations throughout the country.
For additional information, please call (619) 542-4300 or visit online at
www.ccc-sd.org.