FQHC Mission and Strategy Requirements

The Mission of all FQHCs must include the improvement of the health status of underserved populations in their targeted service area. To accomplish their mission FQHCs must incorporate the following components into their operational strategy: Assess-Design-Measure-Operate-Collaborate.

FQHCs just develop an assessment of the needs of the community/populations that the will be served. Based on that assessment, the FQHC must then design culturally and linguistically appropriate health service programs. After setting up the services FQHCs must measure the effectiveness and quality of services being providing. It must be stated that FQHCs must operate efficiently. Historically centers considered that they were operating efficiently if they spent the last of their grant dollars at the end of their fiscal year and broke even on operations. In today’s environment of growth that line of thinking is transforming into a business mentality to maximize revenues and grow net assets. Without these physical growth is difficult or impossible. Finally, FQHCs must collaborate with other health care providers, such as specialty providers, hospitals, and enabling and other social service agencies. In doing so, FQHCs also strive to become part of a community’s health care and social service infrastructure. Collaboration within the community also ensures that the target population is receiving all the BPHC required services.