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BRIDGEPORT—The Fairfield County Community Foundation has notified Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut, the largest provider of home health services in the region, that it will provide up to $50,000 over the next two years to support home health services for the region’s needy. The unique two year commitment from the Foundation will help VNS offset the $4 million in uncompensated home care it provides for patients each year under its Medically Underserved Program.
Specifically, the Foundation commitment is to provide up to $30,000
in the first year of award to support home care and hospice services
for residents of Fairfield County, with an additional $20,000 pledged
for next year. Upwards of 40 to 50 patients will directly
benefit from the two year commitment. Economic, social and
language barriers present significant problems for needy residents
throughout the county, forced to balance daily living expenses,
prescription drugs and health care. Home health services have
proven to provide effective, efficient treatment for those following
their discharge from acute care hospitals, nursing homes and other
health care facilities. VNS’ typical patients in the
Medically Underserved Program are females over the age of 60.
“As a nonprofit provider, VNS is committed to serving the needs of everyone in the
community,” said VNS President William F. Sullivan, Jr. “This has become more difficult to
do each year because of declining reimbursements from government and private insurers. The
cost of uncompensated care we provide continues to rise, now totaling in the millions of
dollars each year. The Fairfield County community Foundation’s award will go far toward
assisting us in serving our mission.”
”The Fairfield County Community Foundation is proud to support the Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut’s Medically Underserved Program that provides high quality home health care to low income, uninsured and underinsured patients in Greater Bridgeport,” stated Yolanda Caldera-Durant, Program Director, at the Fairfield County Community Foundation. “We are pleased to make a two year commitment to the program, given the importance of this service.”
The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The community foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Fairfield County Community Foundation merged with the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation in January of 2008. The merged foundation’s net assets approach $150 million. The combined history includes $90 million in grant making to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
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Representatives from the Fairfield County Community Foundation and Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut recently sat down together to discuss the foundation’s $50,000 two year gift to the home health agency to assist in providing services for needy area patients. Pictured, left to right are VNS Development Director Brinda Pola, VNS Executive Vice President Jeanne Bodyk, Fairfield County Community Foundation Program Director Yolanda Caldera-Durant and VNS President William F. Sullivan, Jr.
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