MODELS FOR PRACTICE

FOCUS AREA: ACCESS (PRIMARY CARE)

Program Name: Pathways to Care Network

Location: Josephine County, Oregon

Problem Addressed: Access to Primary Care

Healthy People 2010 Objective: 1-4, 1-5, 1-6

Web Address: http://www.pathways2care.net

SNAPSHOT

The Pathways to Care Network (PCN) is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to network existing resources for optimum community health. In existence since September 1997, the network is a community of public and private mental and physical health care providers who work in cooperation rather than competition to provide quality care. The program’s main objective is to connect patients with the quality care they need by the most direct and cost-effective path. Funding originally came from a Rural Health Network Development Grant. This funding ended; until other grant funding can be obtained, PCN is sustained by other grants, membership dues, and in-kind contributions from member organizations. PCN serves all members of Josephine County, approximately 75,726 people. One third of the population lives in very remote, rural, and poor areas of the county and, therefore, experience difficulties accessing care.

Network members meet regularly to discuss the needs and problems of county residents and ways to effectively address them. In addition, they use the Wellness Wagon to deliver services, such as flu shots, child immunizations, health education, and information sharing, to the rural areas. Documents to help residents locate available health care sources are printed in English and Spanish. PCN is currently working on a project of interacting between primary care providers and mental health providers. As a result of the network’s strong partnerships and focal health collaborations, PCN was asked to participate in a state and national program.

PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION

Jon Jordan, Program Chair

Pathways to Care Network

1505 NW Washington Blvd.

Grants Pass, OR 97526

Phone: (541) 479-1887

Fax: (541) 479-1887

E-mail: pcn1@echoweb.net