Background & Goal
Public housing residents often are exposed to violence. As a result, they suffer trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and many other physical and mental health issues. Furthermore, many public housing residents have problems accessing primary health care.
Family Practice and Counseling Network brings care directly to public housing residents in a cost-effective manner that fosters better care through nurse-managed clinics comprised of an inter-disciplinary health team that has been trained to address public housing residents’ special needs.
Center Description
Family Practice and Counseling Network (FPNC) is a system of three nurse-run health centers located in or near public housing communities in Philadelphia. They are based on a “one-stop shopping” model where patients receive care – seeing a behavioral health therapist, podiatrist, optometrist, dentist all on the same day. Prescriptions can be filled at the pharmacy or dispensary and patients can be transported to and from the health center via the health center van. There is a special $4 prescription fee for uninsured patients. Centers are accessible by means of location, ease of appointment, acceptance of all patients regardless of ability to pay and by creating a warm, inviting and friendly atmosphere. The primary care visit is charged on a sliding scale, based on federal poverty guidelines for patients who are uninsured, and lab work is included in that fee.