West End Health Center, Inc.

1413 Linn St.
Cincinnati, OH 45214
513-621-2726

Project Title
Access to Care Challenge Grant
Grant Description
To match funds raised to support primary care for the uninsured and underserved
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$40,000
Year Awarded
2007
Grant Duration
12 months

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Project Title
Building Bridges to Better Healthcare
Grant Description
To expand in-house pharmacy services in the West End
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$28,000
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
6 months
Results This project was developed to address the West End community's need for pharmacy services and after the closing of the neighborhood Walgreen's Pharmacy.

West End Health Center (WEHC) developed after-hours pharmacy services that operated from 5:00-7:00 p.m. three evenings per week. This service supplemented daily pharmacy services. After three months, WEHC prescriptions increased by 30%; however, growth occurred during regular operating hours. After three months, after-hours services were discontinued. Growth has been sustained since discontinuing after-hours services.

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Project Title
Cultural Competency and Language Project
Grant Description
To provide language resources for limited English proficiency (LEP) West African patients
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$40,000
Year Awarded
2005
Grant Duration
25 months
Results
A grant of $40,000.00 was approved on May 24, 2005 to provide language resources for limited English proficiency (LEP) West African patients. A variance was granted to change the disbursement schedule. Startup was slow due to leadership and organizational changes. Another variance was granted to extend the grant by twelve months. All funds were expensed.

A full time interpreter/translator began employment September 1, 2005, serving both the West End Health Center and The HealthCare Connection in a shared services agreement. 

A brochure was developed and necessary documents translated.  An educational video was created for immigrants to learn how to access needed services. The resource library is an ongoing project.

A total of 30 employees each attended a 45 minute training in February of 2006 and a 30 minute training in March of 2006.

Signage was made up for West African in June of 2006.

The interpreter and the project team performed outreach activities including meeting with The Pulaar Speaking Association and the Senegalesse Association; organizing a community fair at which fifteen West African men were screened for prostate cancer; and participating in a radio program to promote services to West Africans and discussing barriers to services.

The grant length extension of twelve months enabled the grantee to provide enhanced assistance and interaction with West African and other limited English proficiency patients.  Their communications about the services resulted in other African populations accessing health care.  At the conclusion of grant year two, the interpreter was featured in a commercial for the HealthCare Connection’s 40th anniversary, increasing his exposure in the community.

A total of 636 French West Africans were served in 1717 encounters in grant year one, and 729 French West Africans were served in 1642 encounters in grant year two.

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Project Title
Dental Renovation
Grant Description
To replace and upgrade dental equipment
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$25,000
Year Awarded
1999
Grant Duration
12 months
Results The renovation, which included the replacement of outdated equipment, has increased efficiency of dental operations, the number of service hours available, and the number of patients that can be seen by dentists. In addition, the renovation has made the dental suites at the West End Health Center more attractive and inviting.

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Project Title
Expanding Capacity, Greater Efficiency and Outcomes
Grant Description
To support organizational development
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$55,500
Year Awarded
2004
Grant Duration
12 months

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Project Title
Management and Board Development Project
Grant Description
To develop a clear vision and strategic plan for the West End Health Center
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$15,000
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
12 months
Results This project developed a strategic planning process and tool to assist management and board in guiding the organization to more efficient operating practices over the next three years.

The Management team developed a strategic plan with Strategic Goals, Broad Functional Objectives, Strategies, and Measurements. The Plan has been implemented through all departments with board support and approval. Monthly management meetings are used to monitor Plan status.

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Project Title
Medical Outreach Program
Grant Description
To establish a medical outreach program for uninsured and underserved residents in Hamilton County
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$15,000
Year Awarded
2007
Grant Duration
24 months

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Project Title
Pharmacy Service Management System
Grant Description
To purchase a pharmacy service management software system that gives the Cincinnati center’s pharmacist computer-access to vital patient medical information, and creates automatic billing and collection
Focus Area
Community Primary Care
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$14,000
Year Awarded
1998
Grant Duration
12 months
Results The pharmacy management system was purchased, installed, and is now in use at the West End Health Clinic to help staff track and manage prescriptions.

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Project Title
Urgent Care Facility
Grant Description
To purchase medical equipment necessary to furnish two exam rooms for an urgent care facility
Focus Area
Other Health
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$4,005
Year Awarded
1996
Grant Duration
12 months
Results

HFGC initiated correspondence with the West End Health Center, and requested the receipts used to purchase the medical equipment (see attached).  Minnie Jones, Interim President, of the West End Health Center submitted the receipts that indicated the grant money was used for the purpose intended.  HFGC received the receipts on July 15, 1998.

Pat O'Connor, Vice President Program, conducted a site visit at the West End Health Center.  Dr. O'Connor viewed the urgent care facility and determined the urgent care program was operating.

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Project Title
West End School Health Collaborative: Hayes/Porter/Washburn Elementary
Grant Description
To start up school-linked health centers in three Cincinnati Public Schools in partnership with BMF, Inc.
Focus Area
School-Aged Child Healthcare
Region Served
Hamilton County, OH
Award Amount
$211,855
Year Awarded
2000
Grant Duration
36 months
Results The project is a collaborative effort between the West End Heatlh Center and BMF Pediatric Care to increase access to care for children in the West End community. Combining with Hays, Porter, Washburn, Herberle, and Bloom Schools, the collaborative aims to create a collaboration of care providers, families and community agencies to assure that no child is without medical care and behavioral health services.

A unique quality of this project is the creation of a fast-track process that allows for speedy clinic appointments for sick children with minimal disruption on the learning process. Also, we aim to connect every child with a primary care home for ongoing care management.

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