News

York-based Family First Health (FFH) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
According to a release, the funding is to enhance access to comprehensive primary care for individuals reentering the community from incarceration.

“At Family First Health, we are dedicated to providing care that meets the evolving needs of our community,” Jenny Englerth, president and CEO of Family First Health, said in a statement. “This funding enables us to better support individuals reentering society by addressing their health needs early, paving the way for healthier, more stable lives. Together with York County, we are creating a stronger system of care that promotes positive outcomes for all residents.”
FFH is the lone health center in Pennsylvania selected for this HRSA funding and one of only 54 centers nationwide. It is partnering with the York County Reentry Coalition to deliver services to incarcerated individuals nearing release. Designed to bridge gaps in care, the collaboration seeks to ensure a transition to community-based services and reduce the risk of health crises during reentry.
“York County is a community that comes together through collaboration and innovation to solve some of our most pressing issues,” said York County Commissioner President Julie Wheeler. “This innovative partnership with Family First Health is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Together, we are leading the way in addressing both the physical and behavioral healthcare needs of those who leave incarceration and reenter our community, creating a healthier York County.”

Per the release, formerly incarcerated individuals face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. Nationwide, they are 10 times more likely to die from opioid overdose compared to the general population. More than 60 individuals are on the waitlist for recovery specialist services, making the need for comprehensive, coordinated care critical.

“York County is a community that comes together through collaboration and innovation to solve some of our most pressing issues,” said York County Commissioner President Julie Wheeler. “This innovative partnership with Family First Health is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Together, we are leading the way in addressing both the physical and behavioral healthcare needs of those who leave incarceration and reenter our community, creating a healthier York County.”

Per the release, formerly incarcerated individuals face disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. Nationwide, they are 10 times more likely to die from opioid overdose compared to the general population. More than 60 individuals are on the waitlist for recovery specialist services, making the need for comprehensive, coordinated care critical.
“Providing healthcare during the transition from incarceration is an essential part of ensuring individuals have the tools they need to succeed,” said Chawna Griffith-Myers, executive director of the York County Reentry Coalition. “This partnership will help address barriers to health and empower individuals to rebuild their lives.”

FFH will also deliver case management services and collaborate with community partners to address social determinants of health, including housing instability, food insecurity, financial strain, transportation barriers, and intimate partner violence.
Initiated in January 2025, the program prioritizes mental health and substance use treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, alongside primary care services. FFH aims to reduce recidivism, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the broader community.
“This funding supports Family First Health’s mission to advance equitable healthcare for all,” Englerth said. “By focusing on partnerships and practical solutions, we’re creating a model for reentry care that benefits both individuals and the community.”

FFH is a non-profit, federally qualified health center providing primary health, dental care, and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Columbia, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hannah Penn K-8 School, Lebanon, Lewisberry, and William Penn Senior High School. FFH offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most health insurances.

 

Kevin Jackson
York Daily Record
October 23, 2024

In today’s increasingly complex world, where the need for social services continues to grow, we must rethink how health and human service providers collaborate and serve our communities. Enter ConnectYork.org, a groundbreaking platform designed to revolutionize how we connect people to the help they need and streamline communication between nonprofits and service providers across York County.

For years, health and human service systems have been fragmented, with providers often operating in silos, unable to share essential information seamlessly. This not only hampers their ability to provide comprehensive care but also creates barriers for individuals seeking support. From housing and food assistance to mental health and healthcare services, navigating the various systems in place can feel like a maze for those in need. Connect York is set to change that.

At its core, Connect York will serve as a central hub for referrals and communication between health and human service organizations. Whether someone needs immediate housing assistance, ongoing mental health support, or access to childcare, the platform enables community members and providers to search by zip code and refer themselves and/or others to appropriate programs and services needed in real time. This interconnectedness will help prevent people from slipping through the cracks, provide a better user experience, and ensure that more individuals receive timely and effective assistance.

Beyond serving as a referral network, Connect York will also foster collaboration. Service providers will have access to a shared communication tool that allows them to share insights and track progress. This shift from isolated efforts to a more collaborative model will increase efficiency and improve the outcomes for those being served. After all, the challenges facing our community – from homelessness to poverty to chronic health conditions – require integrated solutions that leverage the strengths of multiple sectors.

What makes Connect York particularly exciting is its capacity to gather community-level data on service utilization. For too long, community-based organizations and funders have struggled to gather meaningful data on the impact of their efforts or identify trends in community needs. With Connect York, data collection will no longer be an afterthought but an embedded part of the process. Service utilization trends, gaps in care, and emerging community needs can be quickly identified and addressed. This data-driven approach will enable organizations to allocate resources more effectively and advocate for policy changes or funding support based on real-time insights. A partnership with York College of Pennsylvania will help bring this data-driven approach to life and also provide project-based learning and job opportunities to students interested in social work, public policy, graphic design, technology, marketing and analytics.

Consider the potential impact on York County. Social workers, nurses, and case managers will no longer have to chase down referrals across multiple disconnected systems. Instead, they will have a comprehensive tool that brings all the relevant information together, saving time and reducing the administrative burden. For individuals navigating the complexities of the health and human services system, it means faster access to the support they need without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

The launch of Connect York also represents a broader commitment to innovation in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors. In a world where technology touches every part of our lives, it is about time that health and human services leverage available advances. Organizations such as the York County Planning Commission, WellSpan Health, LifePath Christian Ministries, Family First Health, Bell Socialization Services, New Hope Ministries, Community Progress Council, YWCA, YMCA, Affordable Housing Advocates, Children’s Home of York, Rabbit Transit, York Water, York County Food Bank, the RASE project and others have become early adopters. This platform puts York County on the map as a leader in forward-thinking, community-driven care solutions.

However, the success of Connect York will ultimately depend on how well it is embraced by the entire York County, PA community. Service providers will need to commit to using the platform, sharing information, and working together toward a common goal. Policymakers and funders should also recognize the value of such an initiative and invest in its ongoing development and maintenance. Most importantly, we must ensure that the individuals seeking services – the very people this platform is designed to help – know how to access it and feel empowered to use it.

Connect York is more than just a new service – it is the future of health and human services in our community. By breaking down barriers, fostering collaboration, and leveraging data, this platform has the potential to transform how we care for one another. It is a bold step toward building a stronger, more connected York County, where no one is left behind. Let’s embrace this change and work together to ensure that Connect York lives up to its promise.

If you would like to learn more about ConnectYork.org or to schedule an onsite or virtual demo of the system’s capabilities, please contact Kevin Jackson – Project Manager at kjackson@familyfirsthealth.org.

October 10, 2024: Family First Health marked the grand opening of its new school-based health center at
William Penn Senior High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 9.

This facility will provide comprehensive healthcare services to more than 1,800 students,
ensuring they have easy access to quality care while minimizing the amount of time they are
outside the classroom for medical needs, according to a news release.

The health center will address students’ physical and mental health needs, including routine
check-ups, vaccinations, mental health counseling and more.

The York County Economic Alliance hosted the event, featuring comments from Jenny
Englerth, Family First Health President and CEO, Dr. George Fitch, assistant superintendent
of student services, Mayor Michael Helfrich
and others.

YORK, Pa. —

 

A new medical center opened Monday at William Penn High School in York.

The center will offer comprehensive primary medical and behavioral health care to students, primarily those who are underserved and have limited access to care.

The School District of the City of York said the center will improve academic success by reducing the amount of time students are outside the classroom to receive medical care.

“If there are acute problems or if there’s a need for a wellness check, students can come down with an appointment if they are registered. They can have that appointment here at the school, not leave, not get any absences from school. It’s a convenience,” Superintendent Andrea Berry-Brown said.

Family First Health is running the health center.

It said many families in York face significant barriers to accessing medical care for their children, including the inability to miss work, limited transportation, lack of health insurance and high costs of treatment.

The see video, click on WGAL William Penn Segment 09.23.24

Students attending William Penn Senior High School this fall can expect one major change coming soon — though it’s a change that will benefit the well-being of the entire student body.

Family First Health’s new school-based health center will be open soon, just after the start of the school year, providing students with on-site care and behavioral health support.

“Research has shown that school-based health centers are valuable for both health outcomes, but also educational outcomes,” said Amy Chamberlin, the senior director of development at Family First Health. “Because it’s in the school, students won’t have to leave. They’ll be in the classroom more.”

This is Family First Health’s second school-based health center in York City, with its first being located at Hannah Penn K-8.

The Hannah Penn facility has been a success story for Family First Health for the last 27 years, prompting a desire to expand to other schools in York City, Chamberlin said.

With this project in the works for the last couple of years, construction will finally come to a head this fall.

“We’re excited to open our new school-based health center in the school soon, making sure these students are happy and healthy!” Family First Health announced in a Facebook post. “Good luck to all of the York City School District students going back to the classrooms this week!”

In total, the facility will contain two exam rooms, one consult room and a refrigerator and freezer for vaccines. Family First Health will employ a physician assistant who will be starting out over there as a provider and a host of supporting staff.

This includes a site lead medical assistant, medical receptionist, community health worker, behavioral consulting associate and health center coordinator.

“They can expect what they would get at a regular doctor’s office,” Chamberlin said, adding that the facility will support preventive and chronic care, long-term care and acute care for diagnostic purposes.

Additional resources will include family planning work and behavioral health support, she added.

“When patients come to our centers, they go through a screening that could detect anxiety and depression,” Chamberlin explained. “So if something comes up in that screening, we’ll be able to do a handoff to the behavioral health consultant and they’ll be able to come in and provide resources to support that student.”

During the 2023-24 school year, William Penn’s school nurse received more than 10,000 school visits, Chamberlin said.

Chamberlin said she wanted to be clear that the new health facility will not replace or eliminate William Penn’s school nurse — but rather provide additional support.

“One of the reasons that they wanted us to come is to support the school nurses because they are sometimes overwhelmed with students that come to see them,” she said. “And some of the things like chronic health conditions, diabetes, asthma, sickle cell disorder, things like that, the nurses can’t really support them with. So this will be a resource for them.”

YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — It’s a first of its kind for an area high school and, Wednesday, we got our first look inside.

Family First is opening a new school-based health center inside York’s William Penn High School.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on it.

It will be far more extensive than your typical school nurse’s office.

“Nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and physicians will be rotating through this site so we can provide comprehensive primary care, which will include, acute care,” said Jenny Englerth, President and CEO of Family First Health. “We really want to be their primary care provider.”

The idea is that students won’t have to choose between missing a doctor’s appointment for school, or vice versa.

Family First also has an in-school pediatric clinic inside the Hannah Penn K-8 school.

Watch the video here.