With a grant from The California Endowment, FHCAP is undertaking the Fresno Strengthening the Safety Net Project over a two-year period starting in February of 2008 with the aim to increase access to health services for Fresno County’s low-income populations through the engagement of community stakeholders. The project will

• Increase awareness among Fresno County policy and decision makers on the importance of expanding and integrating of safety net resources
• Develop a health care access policy agenda and action plan through collaboration of key stakeholders to improve local health care access
• Increase engagement of stakeholders in advocacy efforts
• Design a more integrated indigent care safety net system in Fresno County
• Increase coordination and collaboration of safety net stakeholders in Fresno County

To achieve its goal, FHCAP has established a monthly Access to Care Task Force to help assess current safety net services, examine local, state and federal policies, design focus groups on use of services and barriers to care, participate in community meetings and discussions with local experts and develop strategies. The collaborative work of the Task Force aims to create a constituency to advocate for the implementation of these strategies.
The Task Force includes representatives from health plans, community advocates, funders, health care providers, policy analysts, government officials, patients, and FHCAP.  This approach provides the opportunity to work collaboratively to create community-based strategies that are realistic, effective and financially supportable to increase access to health services.