UWCF Issues Request for Proposals for New Health Initiative

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2013

Contact: Penny Borgia
     Chief Operating Officer, Community Impact, United Way of Central Florida
     863-648-1500 x275

UWCF ISSUES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR NEW HEALTH INITIATIVE

Polk, FL – United Way of Central Florida announces a new request for proposals to fund the implementation or expansion of electronic medical records in qualified clinics in Polk and Hardee counties. Up to $71,000 will be granted to one or more eligible facilities based on the proposal submitted during the RFP process.
“Our community volunteers saw that there is a need for this type of assistance in the clinics that serve our low-income and uninsured citizens,” said Penny Borgia, Chief Operating Officer, Community Impact, at United Way of Central Florida. “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.”
The grant is open to non-profit organizations that qualify as a 501(c)(3), operate in Polk or Hardee counties, and that serve low-income and uninsured patients. Organizations will be required 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.
One of the target issues of United Way of Central Florida is to improve the health of individuals in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties. The use of electronic medical records, and the potential for participation in the health information exchange, 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.
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.

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United Way of Central Florida has been serving our local community for more than 30 years by understanding local needs and driving lasting change to build better lives and stronger communities. For more information about UWCF, visit www.uwcf.org or call 863-648-1500.