In the course of our recent strategic planning process, we determined Project Access NOW is at a critical juncture:

We've successfully established a network of volunteer providers and our own operations. We've matured as an organization and as we look to expand, we need to work within an organizational structure that's most appropriate for the higher need and diminished resources. We need to continue to work with our partners to provide needed services to patients and do it in a way that's friendly and supportive of volunteers and resources. To increase services, we need to find sustainable and viable financial resources. In a nutshell, we must do more in an environment of diminishing resources.

Based on what we have learned so far in this process, a key decision emerged to establish the position of a Director of Operations. Janet Hamilton will focus on supporting our transition to create more capacity and fine tune our care coordination efforts. In this new position, Janet will also implement changes in how we provide our services to take advantage of the regional economies of scale.

One of the major changes Janet will oversee is a significant expansion of care coordination services Project Access NOW is providing.  As of July 1st, we'll be contracting with the Coalition of Community Health Clinics to provide care coordination support to its member clinics. Tara Foley, the current Care Coordinator working with Coalition Clinics will become a Project Acces NOW employee and will work with Janet as we seek to continually improve our model of care coordination. 

The Coalition was one of our founding partners. We're grateful for the foundation laid through their work and look forward to a more direct relationship with safety net clinics in Multnomah County! If you've interacted with Project Access Multnomah County, the new phone number is 503.413.5541.  Look for more about our partnership with the Coalition in our July E-Newsletter. 

In addition to Janet and Tara, we welcome Britt Howe, who is transferring from a contract to full-time employee Care Coordinator, and Paula Vasquez, who will be the Care Coordinator for Clackamas County Project Access.

The number of our staff will be doubling as of July 1st.. As we grow and expand our services for the Portland/Vancouver region's low-income uninsured, we hope to double our support as well. Please join us in the effort to care for the most vulnerable in our communities! We appreciate your help and look forward to keeping you informed about our progress and accomplishments.

Sincerely,

Linda Nilsen-Solares
Executive Director