Putting Mission into Motion

Community is at the core of everything we do here at the clinic. After all, it’s in our name: People’s Community Clinic. We’re always going the extra mile to connect with our community and foster life-long health.

Recently we’ve adopted a Community-Centered Health Home model of care. This approach to health promotion is founded with an understanding that there are a multitude of factors outside the doctor’s office which contribute to an individual’s health outcomes. Many health conditions are linked to the social, economic and environmental conditions in which patients live.

These factors are referred to as social determinants of health. Social determinants of health include everything from the safety of the home you live in to the air quality in your city to how safe you feel walking alone in your neighborhood.

It is easy to recommend a patient eat better and get more exercise, but the reality may be much harder if the nearest grocery store is miles away and the neighborhood has no safe place to exercise.

The American Journal of Preventative Medicine estimates that social determinants of health account for about 80% of the factors that impact health outcomes. So the question is: What can we do as a clinic to impact what patients encounter outside the clinic?

AWARENESS

As part of the Community-Centered Health Home initiative, People’s Community Clinic is looking beyond the clinic walls to address the root causes of poor health. As a first step, a team of People’s staff members have developed a unique screening tool to assess the social determinants that impact each patient.

People’s believes that to provide the best quality care we need to understand all of the factors that contribute to a patient’s health. They may have a cold today, but what if the cold is actually a symptom of a much larger problem, like poor diet or inadequate housing?

We are very excited that this screening tool has just finished its final pilot and will be launching at People’s Community Clinic soon.

ACTION

Nearly fifty years of serving the Austin community has taught us that in order to deliver fully on our mission we must work to improve the upstream conditions that negatively affect patients’ well-being.

This year People’s joined Austin Interfaith, a diverse non-partisan coalition of community groups working together to address public issues that affect the well-being of families and neighborhoods in our community. We are proud to be the first clinic to join this coalition.

Together, we’re taking action on issues that matter to our patients and the surrounding community. Issues like affordable housing, community safety, immigrant rights, access to Medicaid, and more.

Through this work our goal is to build stronger communities that support healthy lifestyles for all Central Texans.

Community Partnerships

Walk into to People’s Community Clinic at 6pm on a Tuesday and you may be surprised by what you find. Medical appointments are over for the day, but the building is still buzzing with activity.

In the Community Room patients, neighbors, and clinic staff dance to upbeat Latin hits—it’s the weekly free Zumba class. The bass is pumping as students groove from side to side. They are laughing and moving to the beat. Zumba class is so much fun you may forget that you’re getting in a serious work out!

People’s is so much more than a clinic. We are a holistic health home for our patients

Down the hall in the Teaching Kitchen home chefs gather for La Cocina Alegre/The Happy Kitchen, a program offering free healthy cooking classes for People’s patients. Taught by People’s trained Health Educators, classes are available in English or Spanish (tonight’s class is in Spanish), with sessions for adults and teens.

Students receive a healthy cookbook and groceries to practice preparing the new recipes at home. The clinic even offers complimentary child care so busy parents can enjoy the class.

Zumba and La Cocina Alegre are just a few of the health and wellness programs that the clinic offers in partnership with other community groups. These partnerships bring enriching programs that empower patients to take charge of their health.

We offer a full calendar of classes, resources, and specialty services, everything from free summer meals for kids to breastfeeding support groups and healthy parenting classes.

Programs like ours make People’s so much more than a clinic. We are a holistic medical home for our patients and a health and wellness hub for our community. Stop by some time and see for yourself—even better, join us for a class!

 

Current Offerings

Classes, workshops, and resources empower patients to get and stay healthy.

DIAPER BANK

Free diapers for patients, provided by Austin Diaper Bank.

SNAP (FOOD STAMPS)

Patients can apply for and renew SNAP, or check the status of their application on-site at the clinic.

SUMMER MEALS

Many kids who qualify for free or reduced lunches during the school year struggle to access meals during summer. Thanks to a partnership with Central Texas Food Bank, we offer free lunch all summer long, four days a week.

MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP

Our staff attorneys provide free legal counsel for patients facing health-harming legal needs. In Partnership with Texas Legal Services Center.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

New and expecting mothers learn about the benefits of nursing. Students work with People’s Lactation Consultant to develop a breastfeeding plan, setting themselves (and baby!) up for success.

REAL TALK

Learn how to help your teen make healthy decisions through better communication. Connect with other parents, gain skills to talk to your teen about sex. In partnership with St. David’s Foundation and Lifeworks.

NURTURING PARENTING

A family-centered, trauma-informed class designed to build nurturing parenting skills and empower families against cycles of abuse and neglect. In partnership with Any Baby Can.

THE HAPPY KITCHEN/La Cocina Alegre

Learn how to cook healthy meals for you and your family with this 6-week cooking and nutrition program. In partnership with Sustainable Food Center.

SMALL BITES

Teaching students ages 6-10 about nutrition and healthy cooking. Healthy snacks every class! In partnership with Common Threads.

MOM’S CLUB

A supportive group for moms with children ages 0-5 to connect, learn new skills for child development, find resources, and make new friends.

ZUMBA
Fun, energetic, group exercise class. Meets every week – all fitness levels welcome! In partnership with It’s Time Texas.

Stephanie’s Story

Stephanie* has been a patient at People’s Community Clinic for four years now. She first came to the clinic for prenatal care, but gradually she’s made People’s her medical home for regular check-ups, pediatric visits for her son, and even healthy cooking classes.

“When I was pregnant, this was the place [my friend] told me to try,” she said while perched on the exam table. “Once I found People’s I stayed. I am the type of person that when I find a place I feel comfortable with, I stay. Anytime I know someone who needs help I tell them to come here.”

The Financial Counselors on site at People’s assisted her with the paperwork she needed to pay for services and helped find ways to cover the costs she couldn’t.

She likes seeing the familiar faces of her Care Team, the team of professionals—doctors, advanced practice nurses, and medical staff—who work with Stephanie and her family.

“Once I found People’s I stayed…Anytime I know someone needs help I tell them to come here.”

The clinic tries to assure that each time Stephanie comes for a visit she sees the same team members, building a relationship founded on trust. Her provider not only asks her questions, but also makes sure she understands everything and encourages her to ask questions too.

Prior to having her first child, Stephanie worked hard to keep her weight under control. She successfully lost 40 pounds and talked to her doctor about how to keep the weight off in the long term. Stephanie’s doctor invited her to attend The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre, a series of healthy cooking classes held in People’s teaching kitchen. The classes are offered in both English and Spanish and teach nutritious, simple meals to make at home.

She even brought her son since the clinic offers free child care while parents are in class. It turned out they didn’t need it. Her son was so interested in the class she let him stay. He loved it!

“He ate there, and then again when we made the meal at home,” she said.

Everyone who attends the class is sent home with groceries to practice making the healthy recipes they learn.

Stephanie comes to People’s for the trusted care she’s come to expect, and now for classes too—one of the many great perks to being a People’s patient.

After her son was born she wanted time with him before having another child. So her physician helped her get on birth control until she and her husband were ready to have another baby.

Now, she’s expecting her second child in May 2019. And she feels prepared—boy or a girl.

* Name changed to protect patient privacy.

Fall Activity Calendar

Our GOALS team has put together a full calendar of free and low-cost activities for kids and families. Download your guide to free family fun in Austin!

Regular visits with your doctor are an important part of staying healthy. But keeping active, engaged, and inspired helps contribute to a well-rounded healthy lifestyle as well. Luckily for Austinites, there are plenty of fun, free activities for kids and families to stay active year round.

See our comprehensive guide to family fun in Austin for tons of events, camps, classes, and more!

Download the printable packet below:

English Activity Packet
Folleto de Actividades En Español

Some of our healthy favorites include:

The Thinkery’s Community Nights
Mexic-Arte Museum’s Viva La Vida Fest
Austin Parks Foundation’s Movies in the Park

Download your activity packet for details on these fun free activities and so many more!

The Top Doctors in Austin

Each year, with the help of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., Austin Monthly compiles a list of the leading local physicians in Central Texas. People’s is pleased to announce that among this list of exemplary doctors are two of our own: Dr. Celia Neavel in Adolescent Health and Dr. Louis Appel in Pediatrics.

Continue reading “The Top Doctors in Austin”

People’s Community Clinic after the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Is my gift still needed?

 

As you may already know, the State of Texas has opted not to take advantage of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion thereby denying Texas’ poorest citizens the opportunity for assistance from Medicaid. Texas also decided against creating a health insurance exchange to market subsidized coverage. This means that the state’s percentage of uninsured residents remains one of the highest in that nation, leaving 4.6 million Texans without coverage.

 

Safety net clinics like People’s need additional capacity to meet the fast-growing demand for the affordable health care they provide.  With your continued support, People’s will be able to meet that challenge. To make a gift, please click here.

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Marcia Ball: Still a Fan, Still a Supporter

Everyone in Austin knows someone who has moved here recently to be part of the vibrant economy and  to enjoy a fun lifestyle. However, back in 1970, “Long, Tall Marcia Ball” arrived here the same way many people did; her car broke down en route from Louisiana to California — and she loved the town so much, she forgot all about plans to move to San Francisco and opted to stay here.

Continue reading “Marcia Ball: Still a Fan, Still a Supporter”