UCFS 2011 Annual Report
FROM OUR LEADERS
2011 was a year of many accomplishments at UCFS. The combination
of a poor economy and continued high unemployment has created an
increased demand for our services. This year we provided 76,426
visits to 12,918 clients, an increase in visits of 13.3%. Our Women’s
Health Practice continues to grow and we are currently adding over
100 new patients a month to our Women’s Heath Practice. We
continue to add new providers to meet the growing demand for our
services and in the year ahead we estimate that our visits will exceed
88,000 visits.
We also had a successful year in fund raising as we received the largest single gift ever donated to UCFS. The Edward and Mary Lord Foundation generously donated $450,000 to support the renovation of our Norwich Health Center which is necessary to support our growth and increased demand for our services.
In addition, with the support of our entire delegation of local legislators
we were able to obtain $3.4 million in state of Connecticut bonding
funds to support the renovation of the Norwich Health Center site. This
combination of private and state funding demonstrates that the
community recognizes and supports our good work.
It is important to acknowledge at this point the support that UCFS and other not-for-profit agencies in our community have gotten from our local legislators. Our state representatives and senators have served us well.They helped us get our message out, and helped us to retain valuable programs and services. We appreciate their support and recognize the complex job that they have to do in Hartford during these difficult times.
You may have noticed a new sign on our Norwich Health Center, now known as The Edward and Mary Lord Family Health Center at UCFS. There are a lot of changes going on inside the building as well. Renovations during this phase of construction included new behavioral health and community outreach offices, a new medical treatment room, two new dental operatories, a new medical records space and a larger more comfortable employee lounge. In the next phase our Helping Hands Thrift Store will be moving across the street to 34 Town Street and we will welcome a Backus Lab into the vacated space in early 2012. We are excited to continue to partner with Backus with initiatives that benefit not only our clients but the community at large. Having a lab within steps of our health center will provide our clients with the opportunity to follow through with their plan of care and eliminate transportation barriers that often impact our client’s ability to receive care.
It has been a year of progress and accomplishment due to a committed and dedicated staff supported by a grateful community.
An Uncertain Future
It has truly been a remarkable year but
unfortunately we face an uncertain future. The
same bad economy that increases our demand
has taken its toll on our funding resources. We
have already seen a decrease in program
support from the state of Connecticut and more
cuts are anticipated.
As the debt crisis looms in Washington there is talk about reductions in Medicaid. Local municipalities have reduced funding and the competition for United Way funding has increased. The net result of this financial pressure is that we must find ways to work smarter and to deliver care more efficiently. We must find a way to make our practices self- sustaining.
A Commitment to our Mission
In spite of these financial challenges we remain true to our mission to
improve the health and well-being of the community. With the
support of our community, Board of Directors and with the dedication
of our staff we will continue to serve the community as we have
since 1877.
