Children's Health Fund
{{Short description|Nonprofit organization in the U.S.}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Children's Health Fund
| image = Children's Health Fund Logo
| type = National organization
| founded_date = 1987
| tax_id =
| registration_id =
| founder = Irwin Redlener, MD
Paul Simon
| location = 215 West 125th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027
| origins =
| key_people = Irwin Redlener, MD; Paul Simon; Karen Redlener
| area_served =
| product =
| mission =
| focus =
| method =
| revenue =
| endowment =
| num_volunteers =
| num_employees =
| num_members =
| subsid =
| owner =
| non-profit_slogan =
| former name =
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/}}
| dissolved =
| footnotes =
}}
Children's Health Fund (CHF) is a nonprofit organization that provides health care to children and families on mobile medical clinics throughout the United States. CHF was founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener. The organization began with a single mobile medical unit funded by Simon and designed by Redlener's wife, Karen.{{cite news|url= http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/innovation.html?page=0%2C0|title= Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore |publisher= Fast Company |first=Polly|last= LaBarre|date=April 30, 2009}} More than 20 years later, the organization has 23 programs with more than 50 mobile medical units{{cite news|url=http://www.charity-charities.org/news.php?artid=764552|title=Project gives health care to low-income Detroit children|publisher=The Detroit News|first=Melissa|last=Burden|date=December 1, 2010|access-date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117063632/http://www.charity-charities.org/news.php?artid=764552|archive-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=dead}} and is the nation's leading provider of mobile-based health care for homeless and low-income children and their families.{{cite news|url= http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/innovation.html?page=0%2C0|title= Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore |publisher= Fast Company |first=Polly|last= LaBarre|date=April 30, 2009}} Karen Redlener remains with CHF, currently serving as the organization's executive director.{{cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/features/one_on_1_archives_qz/89598/one-on-1--dr--irwin-redlener-helps-heal-the-city-s-health-care|title=One On 1: Dr. Irwin Redlener Helps Heal The City's Health Care|publisher=New York 1|first=Budd|last=Mishkin|date=November 25, 2008|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929114417/http://www.ny1.com/content/features/one_on_1_archives_qz/89598/one-on-1--dr--irwin-redlener-helps-heal-the-city-s-health-care|archive-date=2012-09-29|url-status=dead}}
CHF programs are committed to the full range of children's health care from health education and preventative care{{cite news|url=http://tulane.edu/news/newwave/021110_obesity.cfm|title=Wellness Classes Target Obesity in Kids|publisher=Tulane New Wave Newsletter|date=2010-02-11|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605015450/https://tulane.edu/news/newwave/021110_obesity.cfm|archive-date=2010-06-05|url-status=dead}} to the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic diseases.{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/health/policy/08land.html?_r=2|title= Enlisting Patients in the Fight to Cut Costs|work=The New York Times|first=Roni Caryn|last=Rabin|date=2010-06-07}} CHF programs provide or coordinate care that fosters oral and mental health, as well as specialty or hospital care.{{cite news|url=http://www.douglasdispatch.com/articles/2009/11/11/news/doc4afa143bcab9e960223621.txt|title= 'It's been an amazing week'|publisher=Douglas Dispatch|date=2009-11-11}}
Paul Simon
In 1985, Irwin Redlener joined the board of USA for Africa as the organization's medical director and director of grants, where he met Paul Simon.{{cite news |url=http://www.hofstra.edu/alumni/hofmagazine/hofmag_w10_feat_irwin.html |title=Part of the Solution |publisher=Hofstra Magazine |first=Doug |last=Vandewinckel |year=2009 |access-date=2011-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719211331/http://www.hofstra.edu/alumni/hofmagazine/hofmag_w10_feat_irwin.html |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=dead }} In 1987, Redlener and Simon founded Children's Health Fund to provide health care to homeless and medically underserved children in New York City.{{cite news|url= http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/innovation.html?page=0%2C0|title= Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore |publisher= Fast Company |first=Polly|last= LaBarre|date=April 30, 2009}}
Throughout the years, Simon has held charity concerts and benefit events supporting CHF{{cite news|url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1106937,00.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080320042006/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1106937,00.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= March 20, 2008|title= Stars Line Up for Katrina Concerts|publisher=People|first=Stephen M.|last=Silverman|date=2005-09-20}} and has traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak to elected officials on behalf of CHF.{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-20-children-health-recession_N.html|title= Recession Q&A: 'Kids can't wait' for health care |publisher=USA Today|first=Janice|last=Lloyd|date=2009-05-21}}
National network
CHF's National Network serve children and families in Arkansas;{{cite news|url= http://www.leecountycooperativeclinic.com/|title= Lee County Coorporative Clinic}} Austin, Texas;{{cite news|url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/recession-leaves-many-children-uninsured/|title= Recession Leaves Many Children Uninsured|work= CBS News|first=Kelly|last= Cobiella|date=May 28, 2009}} Baton Rouge, Louisiana;{{cite news|url= http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/112417159.html?showAll=y&c=y|title= Mobile clinic helps EBR children get medical care|publisher= The Advocate |first=Steven|last= Ward|date=2010-12-24}} Chicago, Illinois;{{cite news|url= http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/637/Obama_Education_Funding_Requests|title= Obama Education Funding Requests|publisher= Catalyst Chicago|first= Alexander|last= Russo|date= March 14, 2008|access-date= 2011-01-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110717095942/http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/RUSSO/index.php/entry/637/Obama_Education_Funding_Requests|archive-date= 2011-07-17|url-status= dead}} Dallas, Texas;{{cite news|url= http://www.cdental.org/Uncensored.pdf|title= On the Road: Homeless Services for Children Go Mobile|publisher= Uncensored Magazine |first=Lauren|last= Blundin|date=Fall 2010}} Detroit, Michigan;{{cite news|url= http://www.detnews.com/article/20101201/BIZ/12010441/1361/Project-gives-health-care-to-low-income-Detroit-children |title= Project gives health care to low-income Detroit children|publisher=The Detroit News|first=Melissa|last= Burden|date=December 1, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=November 2015}} Harlem, New York;{{cite news|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/operations/facilities-commercial-real-estate/3969196-1.html |title=Harlem children's zone offers a safe space for city children |publisher=Real Estate Weekly |first=Jason |last=Harper |date=January 17, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Idaho;{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316221935/http://www.idaholiveworkplay.org/health-centers/family-health-services|archive-date=March 16, 2012 |url= http://www.idaholiveworkplay.org/health-centers/family-health-services|title= Idaho Family Health Services|publisher= Idaho Live, Work, Play}} Los Angeles, California;{{cite news|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-09-vw-33306-story.html|title= This Van Delivers Health and Hope|work= Los Angeles Times |first=Beverly|last= Beyette|date=September 9, 1993}} Memphis, Tennessee;{{cite news|url= http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/news/le-bonheur%E2%80%99s-mobile-health-initiative-brings-medical-home-underserved-children-and-families|title= Le Bonheur's Mobile Health Initiative Brings Medical Home to Underserved Children and Families|publisher= Memphis Medical News|first= Holli W.|last= Haynie|date= June 13, 2008|access-date= 2015-11-16|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032535/http://www.childrenshealthfund.org/news/le-bonheur%E2%80%99s-mobile-health-initiative-brings-medical-home-underserved-children-and-families|archive-date= 2015-11-17|url-status= dead}} Mississippi;{{cite news|url= http://www.healthgamesresearch.org/our-publications/research-briefs/Game-Changer|title= Health Games Research|year= 2009|access-date= 2011-01-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101018004803/http://www.healthgamesresearch.org/our-publications/research-briefs/Game-Changer|archive-date= 2010-10-18|url-status= dead}} Mississippi Gulf Coast;{{cite news|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI0-DFvYk8k|title= Dr. Persharon Dixon -WLOX|publisher= WLOX-ABC News|first=Krystal|last= Allen|date=March 30, 2010}} New Orleans;{{cite news|url= http://plaqueminesgazette.com/?p=427|title= Children's mobile health center unveiled in Port Sulphur|publisher=The Plaquemines Gazette |first=Frank|last= McCormack|date=October 19, 2010}} New York City;{{cite news|url= http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/innovation.html?page=0%2C0|title= Strategic Innovation: The Children's Hospital at Montefiore |publisher= Fast Company |first=Polly|last= LaBarre|date=April 30, 2009}} New Jersey;{{cite news|url= http://www.nj.com/newark/index.ssf/2009/02/mobil_health_unit_assists_thos.html|title= Mobile health unit assists those in need|publisher=Newark Live|first=Chanta L.|last= Jackson|date=February 22, 2009}} Orlando, Florida;{{cite news|url= http://www.orlandoregionalhealth.org/newsletters/inspirer/winter08/teen_xpress.cfm|title= Teen Xpress Recognized by Children's Health Fund and American Idol Gives Back|publisher= The Inspirer}} Phoenix, Arizona;{{cite news|url= http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20238092,00.html|title= Daring to Care |publisher= People |first=Johnny|last= Dodd|date=October 13, 2008}} San Francisco, California;{{cite news|url= http://www.supportlpch.org/Page.aspx?pid=444|title= Providing an important safety net|publisher= Lucile Packard|access-date= 2011-01-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110108052910/http://www.supportlpch.org/Page.aspx?pid=444|archive-date= 2011-01-08|url-status= dead}} South Florida;{{cite news|url= http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/58/innovation.html?page=0%2C0|title= University of Miami's Pediatric Mobile Clinic gives kids access to healthcare|publisher= Miami Herald |first=Howard|last= Cohen|date=February 5, 2010}} Southern Arizona;{{cite news|url= http://www.douglasdispatch.com/articles/2010/05/20/news/doc4bd882df93c5a088276524.txt|title= Local Living Proof that Idol Gives Back |publisher= Douglas Dispatch |date=April 28, 2010}} Washington, D.C.;{{cite news|url= http://www.thearcdc.org/partners-programs/childrens-medical-center-childrens-health-project-dc |title=Children's Health Project of D.C.|publisher= The ARC}} and West Virginia.{{cite news|url= http://musom.marshall.edu/medctr/ped/pino.asp|title= The Road Less Taken|publisher= Marshall University Pediatrics|access-date= 2011-01-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024424/http://musom.marshall.edu/medctr/ped/pino.asp|archive-date= 2011-07-19|url-status= dead}}
CHF has two affiliate programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Montrose, Colorado.{{cite news|url= http://www.telluridewatch.com/view/full_story/174068/article-Dental-Center-a-Rare-Gem-in-Nation%E2%80%99s-Health-Care-System|title= Dental Center a Rare Gem in Nation's Health Care System|publisher= the Watch|first= Grace|last= Herndon|date= August 7, 2008|access-date= 2011-01-18|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160201113435/http://www.telluridewatch.com/view/full_story/174068/article-Dental-Center-a-Rare-Gem-in-Nation%E2%80%99s-Health-Care-System|archive-date= 2016-02-01|url-status= dead}}
Advocacy
CHF supported the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18823-2002Apr20.html|title= Care on Wheels |newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Mary|last=McGrory|date=2002-02-21}} and most recently, the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), historic health reform legislation signed into law early in 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2009/dec/24/healthcare-passes-changes-due-for-little-patients/|title= Healthcare Passes: Changes Due for Little Patients?|publisher=The Brian Lehrer Show|first=Brian|last=Lehrer|date=2009-12-24}}
Crisis response
CHF works with the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University{{cite news|url=http://www.ncdp.mailman.columbia.edu/|title=National Center on Disaster Preparedness|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229145239/http://www.ncdp.mailman.columbia.edu/|archive-date=2010-12-29|url-status=dead}} to help document and assess the impact of major disasters on children and the communities they live in.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/27/how-katrina-reshaped-disaster-planning-for-kids.html|title=The Legacy of Katrina's Kids|publisher=Newsweek|first=Ian|last=Yarett|date=2010-08-27}}
Since Hurricane Andrew, Children's Health Fund has activated a crisis response plan to help provide medical assistance to the victims of the disaster. CHF initiated this plan again after the terror attacks of 9/11 providing support at ground zero in New York City;{{cite news|url=http://www.luxist.com/2008/04/13/the-childrens-health-fund-charity-of-the-day/|title=The Children's Health Fund, Charity of the Day|publisher=Luxist|first=Rigel|last=Celeste|date=2008-04-13|access-date=2011-01-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310171522/http://www.luxist.com/2008/04/13/the-childrens-health-fund-charity-of-the-day/|archive-date=2012-03-10|url-status=dead}} after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005;{{cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-20-children-health-recession_N.html|title= Recession Q&A: 'Kids can't wait' for health care |publisher=USA Today|first=Janice|last=Lloyd|date=2009-05-21}} and most recently after the BP Oil Spill.{{cite news|url= http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1999479,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopular|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121106012751/http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1999479,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopular|url-status= dead|archive-date= November 6, 2012|title= Assessing the Health Effects of the Oil Spill|publisher=Time|first=Bryan|last=Walsh|date=2010-06-25}}
Awards
CHF has received a two star rating from Charity Navigator, although it previously held a four star rating.{{cite news|url= http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3483|title=The Children's Health Fund|publisher=Charity Navigator}}
References
{{Reflist|22em}}
External links
- [https://www.childrenshealthfund.org/ CHF Homepage]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090510010606/http://cw.childrenshealthfund.org/publications CHF Publications]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City
Category:Health charities in the United States
Category:Children's rights organizations in the United States
Category:Medical and health organizations based in New York City