Health Center Week Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years has National Health Center Week been sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)?
National Health Center Week has been celebrated for nearly 30 years. Early on, health centers as part of NACHC recognized the benefits of joining together in a week of celebration to showcase their programs and deliver a strong message nationwide for their health centers and patients.
What are the goals of National Health Center Week?
The goals of National Health Center Week are twofold: To enhance the visibility and profile of Community, Migrant, and Homeless, Public Housing and School-Based Health Centers; and to generate community pride and build support for the health centers program. National Health Center Week provides an ideal occasion to celebrate the long record of success and delivery of high quality, cost effective, and accessible care across the nation. It is a great opportunity for health centers to speak out telling the story of their community-based model of care and creating public awareness of what they do and how they do it.
How do health centers celebrate National Health Center Week?
Although heath center week is recognized nationwide, celebrations are local with participating health centers planning and sponsoring their own community events. Health Fairs, Open House Events, Fundraisers, Health Forums, Press Conferences, and Award Presentations comprise the core of popular health center week activities. Health centers invite lawmakers and civic leaders to participate in events and use public events to leverage media attention and to build support for their programs.
What resources are available to assist health centers in planning events?
Health centers are encouraged to develop and coordinate activities with their State and Regional Primary Care Associations and other heath centers. In addition, health centers can enlist the support of volunteers from the community, and coordinate events with other community organizations as well as solicit sponsorships from the private business sector. While it is recognized that not all centers have the resources and staffing to plan large community events, the objective is to build awareness and support for the health center program. Every health center can do something by urging a local newspaper to write a story about the impact of its role in meeting community health needs by sending out a press release announcing National Health Center Week by inviting local officials and state and national lawmakers for a site visit to the health center --- or requesting a proclamation from their town to recognize its contributions in reducing health disparities and promoting health and prevention. WHATEVER YOU CAN DO COUNTS!
Is National Health Center Week officially recognized?
In recent years, both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have unanimously passed resolutions calling upon the nation to celebrate National Health Center Week and recognize the contributions of America’s Health Centers. The President of the United States may issue a Presidential Proclamation as occurred in 2002 or issue a White House Message. In addition, Governors, Mayors and local governing bodies issue proclamations in tribute to the role of health centers in expanding access to affordable and quality care in their states and communities. Last year, at the request of State/Regional Primary Care Associations and their health centers, state governors in nearly 20 states across the country issued proclamations.
Do all 50 States Celebrate Health Center Week?
In the last few years, National Health Center Week activities have dramatically increased. In 2006 over 600 National Health Center Week events were reported in all 50 states as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Health center events involved nearly 75 members of Congress and 80 state and local representatives, making 2006 the largest celebration in health center history. This year we hope that health centers in all 50 states will continue to take this opportunity to join in the celebration and make a powerful statement across the country for America’s Health Centers.
Why is National Health Center Week observed during the month of August?
Health Center Week was not always celebrated in August. However, it has become month of choice to reach out to lawmakers and the media and to promote the health center legislative agenda. For example, Congress traditionally takes a recess in August allowing US Representatives and Senators to return to their home states and congressional districts. It is normally the time just before final decisions are made in Congress on appropriations and a host of other issues that may affect health center programs. Members of Congress are eager to attend public events at health centers and to meet and hear from their constituents. In addition, August is generally a “slow” news month for the media. With Congress and many state legislatures either on recess or adjourned, reporters are searching for stories and issues to cover. Also, health centers have found that August is an ideal time to reach out to families and children with Health Fairs/Screenings and Back- to-School Immunizations.
What is the importance of having a National Health Center Week theme?
A health center week theme enables health centers to frame specific messages in recognition of the strength and vitality of health centers to their communities and the healthcare system over all. This year’s theme is America’s Health Centers- Your Health Care Home. This theme will enable health centers to speak to the importance of providing continuous primary and preventive care that reduces the risk of new health care problems and lowers the overall potential cost of health care. Health centers have a 40 year history of providing a health care home to patients across the nation, and continue to expand to reach more people by removing geographic, language, and cultural barriers for patients who do not have a usual source of care. Additionally, this theme emphasizes the health center mission - to provide a health care home to all Americans in need.
How does the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) assist with National Health Center Week?
NACHC makes available an informational toolkit to assist health centers in planning events and developing messages for the press, public officials and the public at large. The NACHC toolkit can be accessed and downloaded through the website (www.HealthCenterWeek.org). NACHC also makes available a National Health Center Week Poster, which can be proudly displayed at health center sites and within communities. Other items such as T-Shirts and banners may be available for purchase. In addition, NACHC solicits sponsorships for National Health Center Week to support health center events at both the national and local levels. Moreover, NACHC has designated staff to provide guidance and assistance Marc Wetherhorn, Amanda Pears, and Jason Patnosh.
If vendors or organizations are interested in setting up booths to participate in local Health Center Week Activities or if groups, such as senior citizen groups or teen groups are interested in volunteering to help their health center what is the best way to inquire?
Check directly with the Health Center and request to speak to the Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, or the person in charge of Health Center Week. Interested parties may request a listing of health centers in the state from their State or Regional Primary Care Association.
How can I find about Health Center Week activities in my state or area?
Health Centers will post their planned events under state listings on the NACHC Health Center Week Events Map (www.HealthCenterWeek.org). For the first time, health centers will be able to enter their own postings on the website, which should make listings available to the public sooner -- by mid June and July.
Why is Health Center Week Important?
National Health Center gives health centers a chance to get on the “bully pulpit” to bring light to the neglected health needs in our communities and the shared stake in community health. It allows us to show not only what we do but how our unique model of care is offering solutions to the nation’s health care crisis. Health Center Week has become a powerful tool to rally public support for the health centers program. Remember, public support and confidence in our programs translates into legislative victories, positive administrative policies and growing partnership with the public and private sectors so that health centers can serve greater needs and lead this nation to a more equitable health delivery system for all people.
Celebrate Health Center Week!
Speak Out for Your Patients, Health Centers & Communities
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