Direct Relief, BD and NAFC Announce $300,000 in Grants for Free and Charitable Clinics

In their ongoing effort to improve access to chronic health care services for vulnerable populations, Direct Relief, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) today announce the twelve free and nonprofit clinics, who attend together received $300,000 in grants through the Continuity in Care program.

The Continuity in Care program is a multi-year initiative made possible through the generosity of Direct Relief and BD and administered by NAFC. It supports free and charitable clinics in expanding patient-specific, innovative models of chronic disease care to at-risk patients in the United States. This grant round, totaling $12,000 per grantee, will fund new or existing programs focused on helping patients living with or at risk of diabetes and hypertension through patient education, prevention, medication adherence and patient engagement .

“Free and charitable clinics play a critical role in serving patients in the United States every day, and this funding aims to expand their vital work through innovative, patient-centric solutions,” said Damon Taugher, vice president of global programs for Direct Relief. “Direct Relief is privileged to once again partner with NAFC and BD to recognize these clinics and their critical role.”

“NAFC is grateful to have partners like BD and Direct Relief who recognize the essential role that free and charitable clinics play in their communities in providing accessible health care,” said Nicole Lamoureux, President and Chief Executive Officer of NAFC. “This important program helps our members provide important services to patients in underserved communities with diabetes and chronic hypertension.”

The Continuity in Care 2021 grantees are:

• Lahai Health—Lynnwood, Washington.
• Open Arms Clinic – Toccoa, Georgia
• Volunteers in Medicine – Wilkes-Barre, Penn.
• Church of Memphis, Inc. Health Center – Memphis, Tennessee.
• Outreach Free Clinic and Resource Center – Brandon, Florida.
• Sinclair Health Clinic—Winchester, Virginia.
• West Virginia Health Right, Inc. – Charleston, WV
• CrossOver Department of Health – Richmond, Virginia.
• Faith Family Medical Center – Nashville, Tennessee.
• Westminster Free Clinic – Thousand Oaks, California.
• C-ASIST Free Health Clinic – Dearborn, Mich.
• Rophe Free Clinic, Inc. – Indianapolis, Indiana.

The next program application will be announced in the first quarter of 2022 and is open to all active members of the Federal Association of Free and Non-Profit Clinics.