2021
In the last 50 years, we have adapted to meet patient needs with an ever-growing community footprint. From the HIV epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the opioid crisis to chronic health management, we have been a trusted resource to people from all walks of life. Looking ahead, KC CARE will steward our resources and community support to do even more for our patients – through expanded services, capacity, and accessibility and by serving new patients through Missouri Medicaid expansion. This care is delivered, as always, by a knowledgeable, compassionate staff who treat all people with dignity and respect.
2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, we leapt into action to serve our patients. We successfully launched broad telehealth services, outreached to at-risk patients to ensure their needs were met, suspended dental services until protective measures were in place, and collaborated with community partners and the Kansas City, Mo. Health Department on COVID-19 testing initiatives. By rapidly planning and fundraising, we were able to retain all staff through the pandemic.
2019
We welcomed our first new CEO in more than 20 years. In May, Wil Franklin came to KC CARE from People’s Health Centers’ Family of Corporations in St. Louis where he was the Chief Operating Officer and provided clinical oversight to the Behavioral Health department.
2017
Opened fourth location in Northeast.
Began providing care to Cornerstones of Care kids. Also formalized relationship with Rose Brooks Center.
Began providing care to Cornerstones of Care kids. Also formalized relationship with Rose Brooks Center.
2015
The Clinic was awarded designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by HRSA and recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. This is evidence of the high quality of care provided by the Clinic and the need we meet in the community. Becoming an FQHC is another huge step forward to ensure access for our patients and long-term sustainability for the Clinic.
2012
We expanded once again, moving our east-side location to a suite at the Research Medical Center campus.
2010
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law, necessitating significant changes throughout the health care system. We responded with a series of strategic changes.
The Care Coordination program launched with community health workers offering services at our locations and throughout the community.
The Care Coordination program launched with community health workers offering services at our locations and throughout the community.
2001
A successful capital campaign raised $2.5 million to purchase our current headquarters location at 3515 Broadway.
1986
After the "old stone house" was condemned in 1986, we moved to the city's east side, changing our name to the Kansas City Free Health Clinic. There, we persisted in our mission, providing a range of needed services with volunteer providers and asking patients to donate what they could.
1973
The city of Kansas City donated a house at 40th and Baltimore, known for many years as the "old stone house." Services focused on primary care and reproductive health. Shortly after moving in, some dedicated dental students acquired a dental chair, so we could begin providing much needed oral health services in Westport.
2020
We began vaccinating our staff and other organizations’ frontline healthcare workers and staff for COVID-19. As vaccines become more widely available, we are preparing for expanded vaccine distribution in the community.
2020
In August, Missourians took to the voting booth to expand Missouri Medicaid through a ballot initiative. As many as 230,000 Missourians became eligible for healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion, with implementation beginning in summer 2021.
2019
In August, we opened our first pediatric-centered location, Homeroom Health, in partnership with Cornerstones of Care. This location, which provides collocated medical, dental, and behavioral health services expands access to care for infants, children, teens, and young adults in Jackson County.
2018
Following months of strategic planning and community assessment, stakeholders agreed the word 'clinic' no longer accurately represented the scope or quality of KC CARE's services. We changed our name to KC CARE Health Center to recognize organizational growth and broadening community impact.
2016
In 2016, our onsite dispensary at the Broadway location was converted into a pharmacy.
2013
We changed our name from the Kansas City Free Health Clinic to the Kansas City CARE Clinic to more accurately reflect what we provide in the community - Care, Access, Research, and Education for all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Our leadership developed a unique hybrid business model that allows us to serve all patients, while benefitting from new and enhanced revenue streams, specifically: third-party billing, receiving reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and Marketplace insurance plans. We also converted to electronic medical records in 2013.
2011
We expanded once again, moving our east-side location to a suite at the Research Medical Center campus.
2008
We reached the milestone of 100 employees and 1,000 volunteers.
2004
We further expanded by adding psychiatry and substance abuse counseling in community health services.
1997
We launched behavioral health services to address the mental needs of our patients in a holistic way. By this time, we had a budget of $2.5 million and more than 450 volunteers. We were soon in need of even more space.
1993
With a staff of eight and the help of some federal funding, we expanded to a space at 39th and Main. We grew rapidly and became the lead Ryan White grantee in Kansas City, responsible for building a system of HIV services in the region. HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau awards Ryan White funds to organizations that provide a continuum of HIV care in key regions.
1980's
We continued to expand services to meet the changing needs of the community. As young men began dying from a disease that had no name, we led the way in creating a continuum of HIV/AIDS services that today includes primary care, case management, testing, and community education and prevention. When HIV testing became available, we were the only anonymous counseling and testing site in western Missouri.
1971
The Westport Free Health Clinic opened in the lobby of the Alcazar Hotel, providing free medical services to those who need it. Services were made possible entirely by volunteers and donated funds. Founded by a diverse group of residents, we were established to meet the needs of the elderly, students, veterans and hippies living in the area. The motto was, "a healthy hippie is a happy hippie."
2021
In the last 50 years, we have adapted to meet patient needs with an ever-growing community footprint. From the HIV epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the opioid crisis to chronic health management, we have been a trusted resource to people from all walks of life. Looking ahead, KC CARE will steward our resources and community support to do even more for our patients – through expanded services, capacity, and accessibility and by serving new patients through Missouri Medicaid expansion. This care is delivered, as always, by a knowledgeable, compassionate staff who treat all people with dignity and respect.
2020
We began vaccinating our staff and other organizations’ frontline healthcare workers and staff for COVID-19. As vaccines become more widely available, we are preparing for expanded vaccine distribution in the community.
2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, we leapt into action to serve our patients. We successfully launched broad telehealth services, outreached to at-risk patients to ensure their needs were met, suspended dental services until protective measures were in place, and collaborated with community partners and the Kansas City, Mo. Health Department on COVID-19 testing initiatives. By rapidly planning and fundraising, we were able to retain all staff through the pandemic.
2020
In August, Missourians took to the voting booth to expand Missouri Medicaid through a ballot initiative. As many as 230,000 Missourians became eligible for healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion, with implementation beginning in summer 2021.
2019
In August, we opened our first pediatric-centered location, Homeroom Health, in partnership with Cornerstones of Care. This location, which provides collocated medical, dental, and behavioral health services expands access to care for infants, children, teens, and young adults in Jackson County.
2019
We welcomed our first new CEO in more than 20 years. In May, Wil Franklin came to KC CARE from People’s Health Centers’ Family of Corporations in St. Louis where he was the Chief Operating Officer and provided clinical oversight to the Behavioral Health department.
2018
Following months of strategic planning and community assessment, stakeholders agreed the word 'clinic' no longer accurately represented the scope or quality of KC CARE's services. We changed our name to KC CARE Health Center to recognize organizational growth and broadening community impact.
2017
Opened fourth location in Northeast.
Began providing care to Cornerstones of Care kids. Also formalized relationship with Rose Brooks Center.
Began providing care to Cornerstones of Care kids. Also formalized relationship with Rose Brooks Center.
2016
In 2016, our onsite dispensary at the Broadway location was converted into a pharmacy.
2015
The Clinic was awarded designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by HRSA and recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. This is evidence of the high quality of care provided by the Clinic and the need we meet in the community. Becoming an FQHC is another huge step forward to ensure access for our patients and long-term sustainability for the Clinic.
2013
We changed our name from the Kansas City Free Health Clinic to the Kansas City CARE Clinic to more accurately reflect what we provide in the community - Care, Access, Research, and Education for all, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Our leadership developed a unique hybrid business model that allows us to serve all patients, while benefitting from new and enhanced revenue streams, specifically: third-party billing, receiving reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and Marketplace insurance plans. We also converted to electronic medical records in 2013.
2012
We expanded once again, moving our east-side location to a suite at the Research Medical Center campus.
2011
We expanded once again, moving our east-side location to a suite at the Research Medical Center campus.
2010
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law, necessitating significant changes throughout the health care system. We responded with a series of strategic changes.
The Care Coordination program launched with community health workers offering services at our locations and throughout the community.
The Care Coordination program launched with community health workers offering services at our locations and throughout the community.
2008
We reached the milestone of 100 employees and 1,000 volunteers.
2004
We further expanded by adding psychiatry and substance abuse counseling in community health services.
2001
A successful capital campaign raised $2.5 million to purchase our current headquarters location at 3515 Broadway.
1997
We launched behavioral health services to address the mental needs of our patients in a holistic way. By this time, we had a budget of $2.5 million and more than 450 volunteers. We were soon in need of even more space.
1993
With a staff of eight and the help of some federal funding, we expanded to a space at 39th and Main. We grew rapidly and became the lead Ryan White grantee in Kansas City, responsible for building a system of HIV services in the region. HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau awards Ryan White funds to organizations that provide a continuum of HIV care in key regions.
1986
After the "old stone house" was condemned in 1986, we moved to the city's east side, changing our name to the Kansas City Free Health Clinic. There, we persisted in our mission, providing a range of needed services with volunteer providers and asking patients to donate what they could.
1980's
We continued to expand services to meet the changing needs of the community. As young men began dying from a disease that had no name, we led the way in creating a continuum of HIV/AIDS services that today includes primary care, case management, testing, and community education and prevention. When HIV testing became available, we were the only anonymous counseling and testing site in western Missouri.
1973
The city of Kansas City donated a house at 40th and Baltimore, known for many years as the "old stone house." Services focused on primary care and reproductive health. Shortly after moving in, some dedicated dental students acquired a dental chair, so we could begin providing much needed oral health services in Westport.
1971
The Westport Free Health Clinic opened in the lobby of the Alcazar Hotel, providing free medical services to those who need it. Services were made possible entirely by volunteers and donated funds. Founded by a diverse group of residents, we were established to meet the needs of the elderly, students, veterans and hippies living in the area. The motto was, "a healthy hippie is a happy hippie."