Our History

Since 1990, the Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon (HCCSO) has been a network of leaders in safety net clinics and public health agencies throughout Jackson, Josephine, and Douglas Counties. We join together to collaborate, with the goal of improving the health of all Southern Oregon residents.

Timeline

HCCSO Is Born!
HCCSO is born

Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon incorporates as a membership-based nonprofit in Jackson and Josephine Counties.

First Grant Received
First Grant Received

Douglas County joins the organization, and HCCSO receives a $525,000 HRSA Rural Health Outreach Fund Grant to launch Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Douglas and Josephine counties.

New Federally Qualified Health Centers In Douglas and Josephine
New Federally Qualified Health Centers In Douglas and Josephine

Community clinics open in Douglas County (Open Door Clinic, which later becomes Umpqua Community Health Center) and Josephine County (Our Valley and Takelma Clinics, which later become Siskiyou Community Health Center).

First Healthy Start Grant
First Healthy Start Grant

The first Southern Oregon Healthy Start program is implemented in Jackson County, and the grant assessment and planning phase begins.

Healthy Communities Grant
Healthy Communities Grant

HCCSO receives first Healthy Communities Access Program Grant for $3.2 million, and hires first Executive Director.

Healthy Start Expansion
Healthy Start Expansion

A second Healthy Start grant expands the program to Josephine and Douglas counties.

CAWEM
CAWEM

HCCSO raises match funds for CAWEM (Citizen-Alien Waived Emergency Medical), which funds non-citizen prenatal care.

New Grant Awards
New Grant Awards

HCCSO secures three new grants, funded by CMMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services): Preconception Health Grant, Regional Health Equity Coalition Grant, OHP Outreach & Enrollment Grant.

Regional Health Equity Coalition
Regional Health Equity Coalition

Five new program staff are hired, and Jackson County drops out of Healthy Start Grant. HCCSO secures Preconception Health Grant and participates in the Regional Health Equity Coalition.

Leadership Changes
Leadership Changes

The Regional Health Equity Coalition moves to a new umbrella organization; a 6th five-year grant Healthy Start grant is secured for Josephine and Douglas counties; and a new Executive Director is hired in late 2019, as well as a Community Action Network (CAN) Coordinator in 2020.

Welcome Baby Shower Goes Virtual
Welcome Baby Shower Goes Virtual

Due to public health restrictions from the COVID pandemic, the annual Welcome Baby Shower shifted online in fall 2020. This expanded our ability to reach people in new and innovative ways, and increase access to resources the event offers. Working with the Perinatal Task Force, we introduced new themes for each Welcome Baby Shower celebration and welcomed families to participate in virtual demonstrations, learn about community supports, win prizes, and see daily tips and posts.