The Rockbridge Area Free Clinic, recognizing the need to further develop a sustainable system of care for the medically underserved in the Rockbridge Area, applied for and was awarded an $80,000 federal grant. This grant is being used to fund a 12-month project to broadly define and assess the health of our community, develop a strategic plan, and design an appropriate health service delivery model that incorporates all aspects of health, safety, and wellness delivery.

To accomplish this mission, the Free Clinic, in partnership with Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital and the Central Shenandoah Health District, is using a tool developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MAPP, which stands for Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships, is a program designed to help communities evaluate and implement a community health improvement plan.

Under the MAPP program, the steering committee will undertake a four-fold community health assessment, formulate strategic goals and complete a service delivery plan based on those strategic goals. In the process, the committee will gather a comprehensive collection of health care data available to the community and will collaborate in strategic thinking. In addition, the documents produced in the MAPP process will be used by the Free Clinic should it decide to pursue a Federally Qualified Health Center designation, and by the hospital for its IRS-required 3-yearly assessment and strategic plan.