Demonstrating the Value of IAFCC: Supporting New Members and Advancing Health Equity
A Case Study: Helen Redding Asthma Van by Heidi Treischmann
The Illinois Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) exists to strengthen, support, and advocate for Illinois’ network of free and charitable clinics. Our work ensures that uninsured and underinsured patients across the state have access to high-quality, compassionate care. The experience of one of our newest members, the Helen Redding Asthma Van, illustrates the depth of IAFCC’s impact.
Launching an Innovative Model of Care
The Helen Redding Asthma Van is a mobile unit serving some of Lake County’s most underresourced patients who struggle with asthma. The program was incubated by Mobile Care Chicago, led by Executive Director Matt Siemer, whose team provided foundational resources and expertise to get the van on the road. From the beginning, this innovative mobile unit was designed to close critical gaps in care for patients who might otherwise go without treatment.
IAFCC’s Support: Access, Resources, and Advocacy
In 2023, the Asthma Van became a new grantee of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) through an allocation of $9 million in state funds secured by IAFCC. These funds are distributed to clinics through a competitive process, allowing them to expand services and reach more patients.
For a new clinic program like the Asthma Van, navigating state reporting and compliance requirements can be daunting. IAFCC’s dedicated team, including Jacinta Northington and Glenda Love, provided hands-on assistance with reporting, expense tracking, financing from IAFCC’s Consulting Consortium team and outcome measurement. This direct IAFCC support ensured the van could comply with requirements, secure funding, and focus on serving patients.
Advancing Health Equity Through Data
Beyond financial and technical support, the Asthma Van also benefited from IAFCC’s innovative Health Equity Score initiative. This tool collects and analyzes critical patient data across our member clinics, allowing funding allocations to be based on demonstrated need and patient outcomes.
For the Asthma Van, which operates on a small budget and relies heavily on volunteers, the Health Equity Score ensured that its services in under-resourced Lake County were recognized and adequately supported. This initiative underscores IAFCC’s commitment to equity, helping ensure resources flow to the communities where they are needed most.
Public Recognition and Legislative Impact
The partnership between IAFCC and the Asthma Van has extended beyond funding and compliance into advocacy. At a recent Legislative Breakfast in Lake County, the Asthma Van leadership publicly thanked state legislators for supporting IAFCC’s $9 million allocation. Their acknowledgment received strong applause and drew attention to the importance of sustained state support for Illinois’ free and charitable clinics.
This moment of public recognition demonstrated how IAFCC amplifies the voices of its members, connecting local providers to policymakers and ensuring the needs of uninsured and underinsured patients remain visible.
Why It Matters
The Helen Redding Asthma Van’s success is a clear example of how IAFCC adds value to its members:
- Securing State Funding: IAFCC obtained $9 million in state support for patient care through IDPH.
- Providing Hands-On Assistance: Staff guided new grantees through reporting and compliance, removing barriers to care.
- Advancing Health Equity: The Health Equity Score ensured resources were fairly allocated to high-need communities.
- Amplifying Voices: IAFCC’s advocacy platform connected a new program to legislators and secured public recognition.
The Bigger Picture
For Illinois’ free and charitable clinics, IAFCC is more than a membership organization, it is an essential partner. We provide access to funding, build capacity, promote health equity, and advocate for the resources that clinics need to thrive.
The Helen Redding Asthma Van is just one story among many. Together, with the support of IAFCC, Illinois’ free and charitable clinics continue to serve as a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of uninsured and underinsured residents across the state.
