News & Updates

Grossmont Healthcare District continues support to community clinics serving East Region residents

March 1, 2018 General

photo credit David Zumaya

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is continuing its support of community health clinics that provide services to low-income, uninsured and underserved residents of the East Region with recent grants to the La Maestra Family Clinic, Family Health Centers of San Diego and Vista Hill Foundation.

The GHD board recently approved a $35,000 grant for equipment to provide dental and orthodontic services to patients who visit La Maestra’s four dental clinics. La Maestra currently operates two dental clinics in El Cajon and two others in Lemon Grove. A fifth dental clinic is expected to open in El Cajon in the Fall of 2018. La Maestra staff said its dental clinics see approximately 55,000 patients annually, including 7,000 patient visits projected for the new clinic opening in El Cajon.

“We’re grateful for the support from the Grossmont Healthcare District,” said Zara Marselian, La Maestra CEO. “This funding will help reduce wait times and improve access to high-quality care for all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We’re glad to partner in meeting our mission to provide quality health care and education, to improve the overall well-being of the family, and to bring the underserved, ethnically diverse communities into the mainstream of our society through a caring, effective, culturally and linguistically competent manner, respecting the dignity of all patients.”

In addition, the GHD board recently approved a $40,276 grant to Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) for a new peer navigation program that helps recently discharged hospital patients connect with behavioral health services at their new Grossmont Family Counseling Center (GFCC). Located adjacent to Sharp Grossmont Hospital campus, GFCC has been assisting discharged patients since it opened in January 2017. The new peer navigation program will include follow-up with patients, family members and friends to increase appointment show rates for patients, thereby reducing unnecessary revisits to the hospital emergency department.

“We know peer support can result in improved patient outcomes when used as a part of a seamless transition of care program,” said Fran Butler-Cohen, president/CEO, Family Health Centers. “We’re grateful for financial support from the Grossmont Healthcare District and for their vision to reduce hospitalizations and emergency room recidivism by patients with mental health challenges.”

The GHD board also recently approved a $30,000 grant to Vista Hill Foundation, a social services nonprofit that operates the Vista Hill ParentCare Family Recovery Center in La Mesa. Since 1989, the Center has provided high-risk mothers and their children with a variety of services, including daily substance abuse treatment, parenting skills training and on-site specialized child care. Vista Hill staff said the support from GHD will provide services to pregnant and parenting women and their newborn infants and young children. The services will include psychiatric care to address reoccurring mental health disorders that may be impacting their recovery, as well as domestic violence, chemical dependency and homelessness.

“The support from the Grossmont Healthcare District will greatly increase the chances for success for approximately 200 families over the next year,” said Rachel Peniche, executive director, Friends of Vista Hill Foundation. “We believe our family-centered recovery services are making a significant difference in preventing child abuse and reducing prenatal drug and alcohol exposure.”

Click here for more information on clinics and health centers providing services in San Diego’s East Region.