The Community Clinics Initiative (CCI), a unique collaboration between Tides and The California Endowment, began in 1999 to provide resources, evidence-based programming and evaluation, education and training to support community health centers and clinics. Through information sharing and major grants, CCI acts as a catalyst to strengthen California's community clinics and health centers to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. The state's community clinics offer high quality, low- and no-cost care, often in rural and inner city areas, providing a lifeline for millions of uninsured and underinsured Californians.

Through programs and grants in technology, capacity building and leadership, CCI ensures that clinics remain vital partners in building healthier communities. Grantees encompass 90 percent of California's community clinics and regional consortia, securing CCI's role as a major player in the field. Individual awards enable clinics to convert to electronic medical recordkeeping, improve or expand patient facilities, use software to share data among clinics in a network, or train its staff in fundraising. These enhanced capabilities allow clinics to better track health status, care for more patients, achieve diverse revenue sources, reduce administrative costs, expand opportunities for shared learning and collaboration or advocate for community health needs.

Today, more than any other time in our history, the future viability of community clinics is threatened. Increased demand from uninsured patients, reduced funding and increases in chronic diseases are just a few reasons why CCI's programs help clinics understand and address these economic, environmental and medical factors to face these obstacles head on. In helping clinics become stronger and more sustainable, CCI strives to ensure that clinics:

• Provide high-quality primary care to anyone who needs it


• Acquire the internal strength needed for long-term staying power, even in the toughest economic environments


• Serve as influential players in their communities


• Leave an indelible mark on the overall health of their communities


• CCI supports stronger clinics and healthier communities through:
  • Grants
  
  
  • Knowledge dissemination
  
  
  • Collaboration

Additional information:

CCI Programs | CCI Leadership | CCI Staff | CCI Grantees | History & Origins