NON-Profit - Lone star circle of care

NON-Profit - Lone star circle of care

Written by Julia Kennedy Jayes Tuesday, 07 November 2006

Medical safety net for all of Williamson County

The Lone Star Circle of Care (LSCC) has made it their mission to be the safety net for anyone in need of medical care. With the recently-opened Round Rock Community Clinic on the second floor of the Serving Center, LSCC is making affordable healthcare even more accessible.

“LSCC began as a single clinic in Georgetown, started and funded by a group of concerned residents,” explains Jen Rodosta, director of grants and communication. “But when the doors opened in 2002, the clinic was inundated. They had seriously underestimated the area’s need.”

The clinic was losing nearly $600,000 each month – a staggering figure that alerted the board of directors to two facts: first, the current model was not sustainable; and second, they were one of the very few sources of medical assistance to the people in the area. Realizing the need, the directors looked for another option that would allow them to keep their doors open.

The board decided to seek Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status, and the grant money that came with it.

“It was a difficult decision,” Rodosta said, “because it meant going from a grassroots organization to one that was accountable to a federal agency. But the board decided it was worth it to develop a sustainable model and provide for the growing need in the area. And there were benefits to being a FQHC, too, like enhanced Medicaid reimbursement, which helps offset some of the costs associated with treating uninsured patients.”

In order to secure FQHC status, LSCC had to expand their services to include dental and mental healthcare. In four years, the organization expanded from one medical clinic with a budget of $300,000 to five clinics offering a full range of services with a budget of more than $10 million.

Yet, the federal money that comes with FQCH status only accounts for 45 percent of the annual budget. In order to keep pace with the growth and demand for medical services in the area, LSCC has aggressively sought non-federal grants and community support.

The Round Rock Community Clinic is the newest of LSCC’s clinics, and also the only location to offer the full range of healthcare services. The clinic even offers prenatal care through staff OB/GYN, Dr. Frank Hines.

“It’s the first obstetrician-led program for medically underserved women in Williamson County,” beams Rodosta.

LSCC’s plans for future expansion are focused on the southern part of Williamson County – namely, Round Rock.

“Our service area is all of Williamson County, even though we started in Georgetown. It will take a while, but our goal is to have facilities all over the county,” said Jack Hunnicutt, chair of the board of directors. “More people live in the southern part of the county, and we want to put facilities where the people are – it just takes time and money to do that.”

LSCC 60-Day Fundraiser supports its five community clinics

Tax deductible contributions can be mailed to: LSCC, Attn: 60 Day Fundraiser, 1500 West University Avenue, Suite 10, Georgetown, Texas 78628

Other Clinics:

• Georgetown Community Clinic, 701 East University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626, 512-863-9208
• GCC Dental Center, Georgetown, TX 78626, 512-864-1445
• GCC Pediatric Center, 612 East University Avenue, Georgetown, TX 78626, 512-930-KIDS (5437)
• Granger Medical Center, 115 West Davilla, Granger, TX 76530, 512-859-2251

 

Round Rock Community Clinic, 1099 E. Main St., Ste. 200, Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-341-0500, www.lscctx.org