PHILOSOPHY

Multiservice Family Center, Inc. (MFC) provides physical and mental health services, along with related educational and social services to the community.  MFC believes that the family is the most important social unit in society.  A healthy family environment is not only conducive to the well-being of the individual and the family unit, but to the community and society as well.  MFC provides an impetus for the community to be strengthened by strong, healthy families.

MISSION

MFC’s mission is to provide quality and accessible mental health, primary health care, along with related educational and social services to needy community persons, in an efficient and cost effective manner.

BACKGROUND

MFC was founded in 1971 and is a non-profit, tax-exempt, California Corporation, licensed by the Department of Health Services as a Community Clinic.  MFC is financed by patient fees and donations.

MFC was previously located in the heart of the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw community, an area devastated by civil unrest, and sustained high unemployment, lack of affordable housing, child care and health care services.  During the civil unrest of 1993, MFC established an alliance with the Department of Mental Health to provide crisis and disaster training for more than thirty professionals, community lay persons and volunteers.  They provided more than 7000 individuals and families with mental health services and referrals to meet dire needs.

For four consecutive years, MFC engaged in the National Immunization Campaign.  Receiving donations of medical supplies and utilizing a volunteer staff of physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and community lay persons, more than 2500 children were immunized.

Services in both of these significant programs were easily accessible, not only in MFC’s offices, but at community locations such as schools, churches, parks, fairs and shopping malls.

With MFC’s move to its current location in early 1995 came an intensive attempt to expand services with the addition of primary health care.  Discussions within the social, civic and political communities have validated the importance of comprehensive primary health care services for all age groups in this community.  MFC’s continuous goal is to strengthen its programs and services and establish linkages with other services to improve the systems that address the unique needs of individuals and families.

ORGANIZATION

MFC’s Board of Directors is comprised of diverse members representing the health, civic and educational communities, as well as lay community representatives.  The board meets regularly and assumes full legal authority and responsibility for MFC’s policies, programs and operations.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

Mental Health Outpatient Services have provided low income children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens with services to address problems ranging from parenting, child abuse, domestic violence and discord, stress management, anger management, low self-esteem, conflict resolution, substance abuse, depression and anxiety, as well as other psychiatric disorders.  Psychiatric evaluations, individual and group therapy, marriage and family therapy, medications, parenting training, victims assistance, substance abuse, drug, alcohol and tobacco dependency, eating disorders, child/spousal abuse and sexual abuse counseling are included in services provided.

Physical Health Services provided include physical exams, employment exams, school physicals and immunizations, ongoing treatment, nutritional counseling, and prenatal care.  Referrals are made to physician specialists for complex medical problems, and for laboratory/radiology services, as well as other therapeutic and diagnostic services which are prescribed but not provided by MFC.

MFC maintains transfer agreements with several hospitals for the provision of emergency services and hospitalizations.  Follow-up care is provided for all MFC patients following hospital discharges, and emergency care.

Health Education regarding prevention therapy, and health maintenance, an integral component of patient care, is provided in individual treatment, health education groups, and community based workshops, lectures and group meetings.  Staff training and development is a vital part of our program.

Social Services include an information and referral program that locates services that meet such needs as food, clothing, housing, employment and transportation.  Clients receive the help needed to navigate through bureaucratic red tape and requirements to access needed services.

SUPPORT NEEDS

In order to meet dire needs in the community, MFC must continuously seek financial and volunteer support to maintain and augment its services and programs.  We recruit and welcome the volunteer services of professional and non professionals, as well as community lay persons.  As dollars shrink and while mental health and physical health needs continue to escalate, funding for MFC’s programs and services become more critical.

Your assistance is vital to the success of the Multiservice Family Center.  Every gift is precious and every gift goes toward building stronger, healthier families.  Your contribution can make a significant difference in the health and well-being of our families and to the survival of our community.  Please join us in this important effort.

We are grateful for your support!