Duke University Medical Center and Health System

Local Access to Coordinated Healthcare (LATCH)

LATCH is a collaborative effort between Duke University Medical Center's Division of Community Health, local health agencies, and Durham County government agencies to reach uninsured Durham residents (primarily Latino families) in their homes to educate them about their health conditions and how they can make appropriate use of primary care and preventive health services.

The LATCH program's multi-agency team of bilingual, culturally competent staff offer uninsured patients assistance navigating the health system, as well as education and support for patients with chronic diseases who need to better manage their conditions. Partner agencies receive subcontracts to broaden their services, such as: providing communicable disease testing and treatment, group health education and injury prevention at El Centro Hispano; peer health education for teens through Planned Parenthood; primary care through Lincoln Community Health Center; and mental health/substance abuse through Catholic Social Ministries. LATCH patients are screened for Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility and receive assistance completing applications with help from a Social Services eligibility worker placed at El Centro Hispano.

All LATCH services are delivered at no charge to patients. LATCH is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Primary Care to Duke's Division of Community Health. The Division of Community Health is a joint division of Duke's Department of Community and Family Medicine and the Duke University School of Nursing.

Contact: Susan Yaggy, M.P.A., Division of Community Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, 919-681-3188

Lyon Park Clinic

The Lyon Park Clinic, a joint program of Lincoln Community Health Center and the Duke Division of Community Health, was designed to meet the health needs in this southwest central Durham community. The clinic is housed within the Community Family Life and Recreation Center of the West End, Inc., which also houses Headstart, after-school programs, a senior center, summer enrichment, GED, and job training classes.

The clinic treats patients from all age groups and has a bilingual provider. Because of the partnership with Lincoln Community Health Center, Lyon Park patients pay on a sliding scale and no patient is denied service because of inability to pay. Opened in April, 2003, the clinic is slated for expansion this spring.

Contact: Susan Yaggy, M.P.A., Division of Community Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, 919-681-3188

School-Based Clinic Program

Keeping children healthy and ready to learn is the goal of four school-based clinics in Durham, administered by the Duke Division of Community Health. The schools have a total enrollment of 3,052 youngsters in the three elementary schools and one high school served. Supporting partners include Durham Regional Hospital, Duke Hospital, Triangle Family Practice and the Center for Child and Family Health, which provides mental health services to two of the elementary schools.

The school-based wellness centers give children access to medical and mental health services during school hours. Each wellness clinic is staffed with a part-time physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant and office manager. Durham Public Schools donates renovated clinic space and utilities, plus the office manager for most clinics.

Any student can receive services at their school-based clinic regardless of ability to pay. The wellness clinic staff will coordinate with a child's primary care physician if the child is enrolled in another practice. Services offered include: physical exams; medical care for chronic illness; eye exams; treatment of injuries; gynecological exams for high school students; nutrition counseling; evaluation, counseling and referrals for mental health needs; and referrals to specialists as needed.

Contact: Susan Yaggy, M.P.A., Division of Community Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, 919- 681-3188

Promising Practices™

Promising Practices provides in-home chronic disease treatment and case management for patients in Durham, particularly the elderly or those with disabilities who are unable to access office-based care. Developed by a local coalition including Lincoln Community Health Center, Durham County Health Department, Durham Department of Social Services and Duke University Health System, this collaboration utilizes the services of each of its partnering organizations to provide care to patients who are low income, many of whom are uninsured.

Promising Practices visits patients in their homes, offering medical care through a team of Duke nurse practitioners and physician assistants, under the direction of a Duke physician. Patients also receive in-home health education and case management to obtain other necessary health and social services.

Contact: Susan Yaggy, M.P.A., Division of Community Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, 919-681-3188

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