In 1998, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched a nationwide initiative, "Community Voices: Healthcare for the Underserved." The aim of this work was to improve access to health care for the poor and underserved throughout the United States. Miami was one of thirteen sites selected to participate in the program. During the first five years, Community Voices Miami focused on convening the community's health care providers, consumers, and stakeholders to work together toward one common goal: improve access to health care for the uninsured and underserved people of Miami-Dade County.
Other CVM partners throughout the county continue to work to ensure access to the uninsured and underserved.
- Through HealthConnect, also a program of The Children’s Trust, leaders are working with children and families to establish medical homes.
- The 11th Judicial Criminal Circuit Court’s Jail Diversion program works to ensure appropriate care to those living with mental illness and, specifically, to ensure that people receive care instead of incarceration.
- Jackson Health System, which led the Community Access Program (CAP) -- modeled after the Community Voices national initiative -- has been successful in developing a disease management program and its work with Community Health Workers and Patient Navigators who help navigate consumers through the health care system.
- Health Choice Network, a national model for effective collaboration among health care providers throughout Miami-Dade County and other parts of the state and country, now offers discount cards which help alleviate the cost burden for so many.
In June 2003, with renewed support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Community Voices Miami moved to the Collins Center for Public Policy. Joining the Collins Center marked the beginning of a new phase for Community Voices Miami. Having spent the first five years of the initiative convening community stakeholders and building consensus for the recommendations and action steps laid out in the MAP, Community Voices Miami was prepared to begin a new phase of working specifically to promote public policies to ensure better visibility for those most marginalized and assure improved access to quality care for all. With its strong presence in Tallahassee and Miami, the Collins Center is uniquely positioned to inform health policy at a local and state level, allowing Community Voices Miami to link its work with state wide and national efforts to improve access to healthcare.
The national headquarters for the Community Voices initiative (see, communityvoices.org) also moved to the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine in 2003, helping to forge new partnerships and amplify the concerns of the rising numbers of uninsured and underserved in the country.
Community Voices Miami continues to work in Miami and across the country and increasingly in partnership with other parts of the world, to raise awareness around the issues and needs of underserved populations. We invite you to learn more about us and our partners by navigating this website. Contact us and share your thoughts, concerns and comments with us. |
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