Posted October 27, 2022 | 8:29 AM
Public-private partnership expands access to services for residents in need
Hillsborough County and Suncoast Community Health Centers dedicated the Wimauma Suncoast Community Health Center earlier this month. The first-of-its-kind center will provide the Wimauma community a wide variety of health, medical, senior, and social services in one convenient location.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has recognized Wimauma as an area with a need for increased access to medical care and social services. The health center houses Hillsborough County Health Care Services, including Health Begins Now, the Healthy Living Program, and a broad range of health and medical services offered by Suncoast Community Health Centers. This location will also host Hillsborough County Aging Services’ Nutrition and Wellness Programs, which include an Active Senior Center, Nutrition Services, and Senior Adult Day Services.
For Wimauma-area residents, that means a single location will offer multiple services to improve the health and well-being of the community, including adult and pediatric medical and dental care, behavioral health, optometry, podiatry, women’s health, lab services, wellness programs, group exercises, dance classes, nutrition education, adult day services, and daily individualized therapeutic, social, and health services for seniors, and much more.
Health Begins Now is a new program offered by Health Care Services to address and resolve social determinants of health. This is a pilot program bringing these services under one roof and is expected to serve as a model for similar facilities in the future. The partnership between Hillsborough County, Family Healthcare Foundation, and Suncoast Community Health Centers will allow services to be provided in a holistic, integrated fashion for residents enrolled in the Hillsborough County Health Care Plan. Case management services will help residents with:
- Housing instability
- Food insecurity
- Transportation problems
- Utility help needs
- Interpersonal safety
- Financial strain
- Disabilities
- Employment
- Family and community support
- Education
- Physical activity
- Substance use
- Mental health
Hillsborough County officials and Suncoast Community Health Center representatives cut the ribbon to officially open a new site in Wimauma that will bring needed services closer to residents.
