Neighborhood Health Initiative (NHI)
The Neighborhood Health Initiative is the first collaborative endeavor of the original community coalition that evolved into the Health Access Partnership. Funding by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation along with matching dollars and in-kind services from the community have supported the creation and implementation of a grass roots outreach program located in the Enterprise Community, and the expansion of fragmented health care services to the Latino population into a community health center that provides primary health care to children and adults in a medical home environment.
The Outreach program, referred to as NHI, is now a vital link to health care for underserved and vulnerable families in the community. Staff, who reflect those they serve racially, culturally and in life experiences, have cultivated alliances with over 55 community partners, and have provided over 4,800 services or referrals to more than 3,300 individuals over the past 3 ½ years. Located in a storefront site in the heart of the Enterprise Community, an additional 1,400+ individuals walk in or call the site for health related assistance annually. Outreach activities include (but are not limited to) health education; health, dental and optometry referrals; assistance with public insurance and indigent pharmaceutical applications, pregnancy tests, car seats, blood pressure screenings and smoking cessation. NHI sponsors or co-sponsors 25-30 community events annually, including health fairs, flu clinics, learning lunches, screenings and presentations at neighborhood gathering places. Program staff includes a coordinator and 4 Community Health Advisors. Languages spoken include Laotian, Spanish and Vietnamese.
