Children's Health Fund (CHF) is a nonprofit organization that provides health care to children and families on mobile medical clinics throughout the United States. CHF was founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener. The organization began with a single mobile medical unit funded by Simon and designed by Redlener's wife, Karen.[1] More than 20 years later, the organization has 23 programs with more than 50 mobile medical units[2] and is the nation's leading provider of mobile-based health care for homeless and low-income children and their families.[3] Karen Redlener remains with CHF, currently serving as the organization's executive director.[4]
 | |
| Founded | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Irwin Redlener, MD Paul Simon |
| Type | National organization |
| Location |
|
Key people | Irwin Redlener, MD; Paul Simon; Karen Redlener |
| Website | www |
CHF programs are committed to the full range of children's health care from health education and preventative care[5] to the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases.[6] CHF programs provide or coordinate care that fosters oral and mental health, as well as specialty or hospital care.[7]
Paul Simon
editIn 1985, Irwin Redlener joined the board of USA for Africa as the organization's medical director and director of grants, where he met Paul Simon.[8] In 1987, Redlener and Simon founded Children's Health Fund to provide health care to homeless and medically underserved children in New York City.[9]
Throughout the years, Simon has held charity concerts and benefit events supporting CHF[10] and has traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak to elected officials on behalf of CHF.[11]
National network
editCHF's National Network serve children and families in Arkansas;[12] Austin, Texas;[13] Baton Rouge, Louisiana;[14] Chicago, Illinois;[15] Dallas, Texas;[16] Detroit, Michigan;[17] Harlem, New York;[18] Idaho;[19] Los Angeles, California;[20] Memphis, Tennessee;[21] Mississippi;[22] Mississippi Gulf Coast;[23] New Orleans;[24] New York City;[25] New Jersey;[26] Orlando, Florida;[27] Phoenix, Arizona;[28] San Francisco, California;[29] South Florida;[30] Southern Arizona;[31] Washington, D.C.;[32] and West Virginia.[33]
CHF has two affiliate programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Montrose, Colorado.[34]
Advocacy
editCHF supported the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997[35] and most recently, the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), historic health reform legislation signed into law early in 2010.[36]
Crisis response
editCHF works with the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University[37] to help document and assess the impact of major disasters on children and the communities they live in.[38]
Since Hurricane Andrew, Children's Health Fund has activated a crisis response plan to help provide medical assistance to the victims of the disaster. CHF initiated this plan again after the terror attacks of 9/11 providing support at ground zero in New York City;[39] after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005;[40] and most recently after the BP Oil Spill.[41]
Awards
editCHF has received a two star rating from Charity Navigator, although it previously held a four star rating.[42]
References
edit- ^ LaBarre, Polly (April 30, 2009). "Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore". Fast Company.
- ^ Burden, Melissa (December 1, 2010). "Project gives health care to low-income Detroit children". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ LaBarre, Polly (April 30, 2009). "Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore". Fast Company.
- ^ Mishkin, Budd (November 25, 2008). "One On 1: Dr. Irwin Redlener Helps Heal The City's Health Care". New York 1. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ "Wellness Classes Target Obesity in Kids". Tulane New Wave Newsletter. 2010-02-11. Archived from the original on 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Rabin, Roni Caryn (2010-06-07). "Enlisting Patients in the Fight to Cut Costs". The New York Times.
- ^ "'It's been an amazing week'". Douglas Dispatch. 2009-11-11.
- ^ Vandewinckel, Doug (2009). "Part of the Solution". Hofstra Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ LaBarre, Polly (April 30, 2009). "Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore". Fast Company.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (2005-09-20). "Stars Line Up for Katrina Concerts". People.
- ^ Lloyd, Janice (2009-05-21). "Recession Q&A: 'Kids can't wait' for health care". USA Today.
- ^ "Lee County Coorporative Clinic".
- ^ Cobiella, Kelly (May 28, 2009). "Recession Leaves Many Children Uninsured". CBS News.
- ^ Ward, Steven (2010-12-24). "Mobile clinic helps EBR children get medical care". The Advocate.
- ^ Russo, Alexander (March 14, 2008). "Obama Education Funding Requests". Catalyst Chicago. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Blundin, Lauren (Fall 2010). "On the Road: Homeless Services for Children Go Mobile" (PDF). Uncensored Magazine.
- ^ Burden, Melissa (December 1, 2010). "Project gives health care to low-income Detroit children". The Detroit News.[dead link]
- ^ Harper, Jason (January 17, 2007). "Harlem children's zone offers a safe space for city children". Real Estate Weekly.[dead link]
- ^ "Idaho Family Health Services". Idaho Live, Work, Play. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012.
- ^ Beyette, Beverly (September 9, 1993). "This Van Delivers Health and Hope". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Haynie, Holli W. (June 13, 2008). "Le Bonheur's Mobile Health Initiative Brings Medical Home to Underserved Children and Families". Memphis Medical News. Archived from the original on 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2015-11-16.
- ^ "Health Games Research". 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Allen, Krystal (March 30, 2010). "Dr. Persharon Dixon -WLOX". WLOX-ABC News.
- ^ McCormack, Frank (October 19, 2010). "Children's mobile health center unveiled in Port Sulphur". The Plaquemines Gazette.
- ^ LaBarre, Polly (April 30, 2009). "Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore". Fast Company.
- ^ Jackson, Chanta L. (February 22, 2009). "Mobile health unit assists those in need". Newark Live.
- ^ "Teen Xpress Recognized by Children's Health Fund and American Idol Gives Back". The Inspirer.
- ^ Dodd, Johnny (October 13, 2008). "Daring to Care". People.
- ^ "Providing an important safety net". Lucile Packard. Archived from the original on 2011-01-08. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Cohen, Howard (February 5, 2010). "University of Miami's Pediatric Mobile Clinic gives kids access to healthcare". Miami Herald.
- ^ "Local Living Proof that Idol Gives Back". Douglas Dispatch. April 28, 2010.
- ^ "Children's Health Project of D.C." The ARC.
- ^ "The Road Less Taken". Marshall University Pediatrics. Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Herndon, Grace (August 7, 2008). "Dental Center a Rare Gem in Nation's Health Care System". the Watch. Archived from the original on 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ McGrory, Mary (2002-02-21). "Care on Wheels". The Washington Post.
- ^ Lehrer, Brian (2009-12-24). "Healthcare Passes: Changes Due for Little Patients?". The Brian Lehrer Show.
- ^ "National Center on Disaster Preparedness". Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Yarett, Ian (2010-08-27). "The Legacy of Katrina's Kids". Newsweek.
- ^ Celeste, Rigel (2008-04-13). "The Children's Health Fund, Charity of the Day". Luxist. Archived from the original on 2012-03-10. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Lloyd, Janice (2009-05-21). "Recession Q&A: 'Kids can't wait' for health care". USA Today.
- ^ Walsh, Bryan (2010-06-25). "Assessing the Health Effects of the Oil Spill". Time. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012.
- ^ "The Children's Health Fund". Charity Navigator.