New Health Program Seeking Proposals

A new program was created during our allocation process this year to improve services at local health clinics. The program will fund the development or expansion of electronic medical records in clinics and health programs serving low-income, uninsured patients in Polk and Hardee counties. By expanding or introducing electronic medical records to these clinics, they will be able to provide better patient care, reduce costs, and eliminate the duplication of procedures that may have been conducted at another site, just to name a few benefits of the program.

One of the target issues of United Way of Central Florida is to improve the health of the people in our community. We are doing this by facilitating access to a medical "home", teaching people to take accountability for their health, and promoting an increase in healthy life behaviors. The use of electronic medical records, and the potential for participation in the health information exchange, in free clinics will enable more consistent care of individuals who do not have a primary care physician. Consistent care improves health issues, which in turn reduces avoidable emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

This program is available to non-profit organizations that qualify as a 501(c)(3). Organizations will be asked to submit a proposed use for the funding, and qualified applicants may apply for all or a portion of the available funds. Criteria for application are detailed in a request for proposals that is available from United Way of Central Florida, and the deadline for application is August 2, 2013, at 5:00pm. Applicants must respond to each of the Core Components listed in the RFP, and may be asked to make a presentation to the Selection committee. Funding decisions for eligible programs are at the sole discretion of the Health Impact Grant Selection Committee and the Board of Directors of the United Way of Central Florida.

A Q&A session about the RFP will be held on July 11, 2013, at 10:00am, at United Way of Central Florida.

For more information or a copy of the RFP, please contact Penny Borgia at 863-648-1500 x275 or email penny.borgia@uwcf.org.