Our History
Timeline
Health Care Coalition of Southern Oregon incorporates as a membership-based nonprofit in Jackson and Josephine Counties.
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.
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).
The first Southern Oregon Healthy Start program is implemented in Jackson County, and the grant assessment and planning phase begins.
HCCSO receives first Healthy Communities Access Program Grant for $3.2 million, and hires first Executive Director.
A second Healthy Start grant expands the program to Josephine and Douglas counties.
HCCSO raises match funds for CAWEM (Citizen-Alien Waived Emergency Medical), which funds non-citizen prenatal care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2024 marked a momentous turning point for Southern Oregon — for the first time since its inception, our area improved infant mortality rates to the point of no longer qualifying for the federal Healthy Start program.
HCCSO hosted our annual Welcome Baby Showers in Grant Pass and Roseburg, featuring booths from care providers who provided information and resources for basic needs, breastfeeding, infant CPR, infant massage, car seat installation, and MORE! Spanish interpretation was available.