FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Contact: Whitney Hicks, (202) 407-7754, whicks@cohdc.org

Family Health and Birth Center to Join the Community of Hope Family

Partnership continues unique birth services and expands primary care

Washington, DC– Community of Hope (COH) and Family Health and Birth Center (FHBC) are proud to announce that FHBC is joining the COH family. COH has taken over operations at FHBC, effective August 13, 2011. Final integration will occur after approval from the DC Department of Health for a Certificate of Need. A Labor Day Health Fair will be held at FHBC on Monday, September 5 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM to celebrate both organizations’ continued commitment to supporting mothers in labor, their children, and the entire family. The event will be at FHBC at 801 17^th Street, NE, Washington, DC.

Community of Hope provides medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare at its Marie Reed Health Center in Adams Morgan, where it provided more than 13,000 healthcare visits to more than 3,600 clients in 2010. COH is scheduled to open a brand new, 50,000 square foot Health and Resource Center by 2013 in Ward 8. COH also provides housing and supportive services for over 150 families who have been homeless.
 
FHBC is the only free-standing birthing center in DC. Founded in 2000, FHBC offers primary pediatric care, well woman gynecological care, and comprehensive maternity care to some of the most underserved families in DC. Since opening its doors 11 years ago, FHBC has assisted with the births of nearly 1,600 babies, including close to 300 in 2010.
 
Kelly Sweeney McShane, Executive Director of Community of Hope, says, “COH is really excited to be joining forces with FHBC to provide this unique service to residents of the District. We also plan to add a family practice provider in order to expand healthcare to the whole family, including men. We have a shared vision of empowering patients to improve their health and the health of their communities, along with a shared value of excellence and compassion in all that we do.”
 
FHBC Board Chair Andrea Miano says, “FHBC is thrilled to be partnering with COH. While FHBC has produced outstanding health outcomes for its clients since its founding, it has been challenged financially in recent years by the high cost of malpractice insurance and low payment rates from government insurers. Several other birth centers in the DC area have closed because of those challenges. In joining the COH family, FHBC will benefit from COH’s infrastructure and advantages as a Federally Qualified Health Center, allowing FHBC staff to build on its core service of providing high quality care to mothers and children.”

Founded in 1980, Community of Hope works to improve the health and quality of life for low-income, homeless, and underserved families and individuals in the District of Columbia by providing healthcare, housing with supportive services, educational opportunities, and spiritual support. It was recognized by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the most effective nonprofit organizations in 2011.

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