Program areas at Caridad Center
More than 4,500 uninsured and underinsured individuals residing in Palm Beach County received direct medical, dental and vision care. The amount of medical services provided at the clinic have increased to pre-pandemic levels. Medical services provided range from primary medicine to the following specialty care services: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Urology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Ear, Nose & Throat, Minor Surgery, Diagnostic Testing, Mental & Behavioral Health, Women's Health, and an enhanced Ophthalmology Program. Our Health Education Department coordinates prevention, education, and treatment services for patients at risk for conditions such as Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, and Childhood Obesity. Over 4,963 medications, valued at over $3.15 Million were distributed at no cost to our clients. In FY 2021/2022, demand for our Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling program services continued to be a high-need area, with more than 2,956 client visits. Caridad Center provided over 27,000 services including Covid-19 and other health education, prevention education, screening, chronic disease management, and case management. Caridad Center continued its partnership with other agencies to facilitate the administration of vaccinations to the Palm Beach County community. The Dental Clinic provided 2,909 patients with basic services and specialty care services, including Endodontics and Periodontics. In FY 2021/2022, volunteer doctors, dentists, and other allied health professionals provided nearly $9 Million in free services and potentially saved Palm Beach County taxpayers over $23 Million by eliminating uncompensated ER care. Because of the continuing impact of the pandemic, the demand for Caridad Center's Programs and Services grew substantially in FY 2021/2022, and the impact to Palm Beach County and its residents was very significant, at a time when the community needed our services most. All Caridad Center services were provided to Palm Beach County residents at no cost to them.
The Health Education Department provided health education and outreach to Caridad Center patients and the community, including education on nutrition, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cervical and breast cancer prevention, prostate cancer prevention, skin cancer prevention, chronic disease self-management, and diabetes self-management. In addition, in FY 2021/2022 the Health Education Department administered 1,000 Covid-19 vaccines and provided Covid-19 education and outreach to over 7,700 residents of Palm Beach County.
The Social Services program helps to prevent homelessness and hunger within Palm Beach County through the provision of Emergency Assistance services, including subsidies for rent and utilities, and food vouchers. In FY 2021/2022, the Social Services program provided nearly 8,000 services to over 2,400 individuals. Food assistance was given to over 1,200 individuals; 40 families received emergency financial aid to assist them to pay their rent and utilities and avoid homelessness; over 900 individuals received child and baby supplies; and 19 low-income students received college scholarships. We were also able to continue offering under resourced children the opportunity to attend summer camps & recreational classes at no cost to the family in FY 2021/2022.