Partnership Spotlight on Hillsborough County, Fl

Hillsborough County, Florida: Journey to being the Best!
The Hillsborough County HealthCare Program (HCHCP) is a county funded and operated managed care program that provides comprehensive health care for 30,000 residents per year who live below the poverty level and do not have private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. This program is funded by a ½ cent sales tax bringing in a total of $97.9 M in FY05. The program has dramatically reduced use of ER as a "primary physician" for uninsured people. Quantifiable annual benefits of the program exceed $80 M per year, a healthier population and increased influx of State/Federal dollars into the county. The program reduces ER visits, gives efficient and effective access to health care services and also provides: health education, prevention, early intervention, and disease & case mgt. EMS emergency stroke care is recognized as a system "doing it right". The stroke care form developed in 1999 in Hillsborough County is now the adopted Florida Stroke Alert form. It was signed into law last year as part of the Florida Stroke Act, the first state to pass such a law. Early EMS response, diagnosis, pre-hospital treatment, hospital pre-notification and rapid treatment at the hospital has enhanced the ability to save stroke victims. The Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties was established in 2004 through a collaboration of public, business and nonprofit organizations. Its mission is to maximize Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for those eligible; provide financial education to make wise decisions and help the poor get checking and savings started. In addition to improving individual quality of life, Prosperity Campaign of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties improves the economy by bringing in more money into the local community. Increased in one year: refunds 37%, eitc 31% and child care tax credits 16%. The Prosperity Campaign boasts more than 150 public, private, and nonprofit entities working together, 400 volunteers and staff in 63 locations throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. They prepared 16,434 tax returns, with refunds totaling $14.8 M and approximately a savings of $2.46 M in commercial tax preparation fees. The private sector saved $4.8 M in 2 years. Both counties were honored with many service awards for outreach and production. The Government Access channel, HTV 22, was selected as the winner of the "Best Station for the 2005 Cable Access Guild Beacon Awards". From over 500 entries nationwide HTV 22 was the very best access television operations in the country. In addition, HTV 22's, April Kellogg, Community Relations Coordinator, won for "Best Host", and the production staff were finalists for "Best Show Open, Best Public Service Announcement, Best Specialty Video, and Best Bulletin Board". Emergency Management employee, Peter Dabrowski, Emergency Coordinator, was invited by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to help train the Republic of Seychelles, Islands East of Kenya, on the establishment, organization and operations of a National Emergency Operations Center. Library Services using a special ½ cent tax totally funds operations, books and construction, not requiring any general fund taxes. There are 28 libraries located within Hillsborough County. Property owners in the City of Tampa and the unincorporated area pay a separate property tax to operate a network of regional and branch libraries. 911 Access on Park Trails is being implemented using GPS technology and by marking trails with identifying information. Trail users who are often in remote locations can give exact locations so dispatchers can direct police/fire to their exact location, even in very remote areas, to provide emergency assistance. This is the first in the nation. Joint efforts from Sheriff, Parks & Recreation, Information Technology Dept, Fire & Rescue and Dispatcher enables new life saving efficiencies.