The clinic was open from 6 to 9 p.m. with the last patient leaving after 10 p.m. Eleven patients were treated, with some referred for labs at Kings Daughter’s Clinic and specialists at Scott and White in Temple. We thank these great partners for their support. We also thank all the Belton and Salado churches, individuals, organizations and businesses who contributed financially, materially, and by their skills and labor to make this possible.

We ask that all our volunteers and providers bear with us during this time as we work through any kinks in our scheduling and acknowledgement systems.

Special thanks to Dirk Miller and Miller Smokehouse for providing their excellent BBQ brisket sandwiches for the volunteers who came early to get ready. We hope everyone who participated, volunteers, patients and donors alike, were blessed by giving and receiving in the name of Jesus at the Body of Christ Community Clinic.

The medical clinic will be open each Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. The dental clinic will open at the same time beginning on July 8, 2010. Appointments for both can be made by calling 254 939-9500 between 3 and 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Walk in’s are also welcome as long as there are unfilled appointments or “no-shows”.

The clinic is located in the rear of the Helping Hands Ministry building at 2210-B Holland Road (HW 436) between Longhorn Motors and Longhorn Convenience store. Parking is available in the rear.

• Tuesday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 6, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 10, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, August 31, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 28, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 26, 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, November 15, 6:30 p.m.

Legal documents

The drafting team met again on June 4 and came to consensus on the key elements of the Constitution and Bylaws. Filing of Certificate of Formation is temporarily delayed to resolve a name conflict with Body of Christ Ministries in San Antonio.

Construction

The construction team met with the architect last week and finalized the floor plan. We expect to apply for building a permit within 30 days. The team estimated the cost to complete the entire clinic project is $195,000 and anticipated that it can be done by the end of 2009.

Relocation of Kim’s Closet and Bundle of Joy within Helping Hands to make way for the clinic has been completed by volunteers. Both operations are fully functional in their new locations. We have commitments to build the new outlying offices bordering the chapel next to the food operation, install the new doors that will be the entrance to the clinic, and hang a dust barrier allowing work within the clinic area during Helping Hands operations. We will continue to use volunteers for some portions of the clinic construction. Subcontractors that wish to bid on the work are encouraged to contact us as well. There have been some subcontractors that are planning on working on the clinic at discounted rates, and we wish to say thanks to them.  Please contact Ron Emerson at (254) 760-1863 if you are interested in knowing more.

Finances Designated for the clinic

We have a balance on hand of over $78,000 with another $30,000 pledged.

Volunteers

There are currently over 140 individuals who have expressed interest in the project and are on the “mailing” list.

Churches

14 churches are interested or formally involved, and many are already contributing.

Next meetings

• Core and Lead Planning teams expect to meet in early July, possibly July 9 at 6 am at First Baptist Belton or Harris Community Center to review recommended logo and branding, draft constitution and bylaws, and construction plans and timeline.
• An open meeting for all interested parties is anticipated in mid to late July, possibly July 22 at 6 pm in either First Baptist Belton or Harris Community Center to present the logo and branding, constitution and bylaws, and construction plans and timeline.

• Legal Documents ( writing of constitution and by-laws, development and filing of 501c3)
• Building Design/Construction (design, construction and upkeep of the physical plant)
• Equipment (pick-up & transportation, storage, inventory control, donation credit)
• Volunteer Services (enlisting, coordination, training of volunteers, etc.)
• Medical Administration (policy/procedures, standing orders, etc.)
• Medical Partnerships (coordination with other clinics and hospitals for collaboration, assistance, referrals, etc.)
• Pharmacy (policy/procedures, cultivation with pharmaceutical companies and local pharmacies)
• Financial Support (grant development, fundraising, seeking donations)
• Social Services (evaluation & referral to local providers and enrollment in appropriate, state and federal programs, transportation issues, etc.)
• Marketing/Public Relations (develop logo/brand and consistently apply to promotional venues including website design, brochures, business cards, stationary, advertising, etc.)
• General Administration (accounting / financial functions, background checks, office management, etc.)

Thank you in advance as you pray and consider serving on one of these committees!

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We have had great success in our initial planning.  Our clinic leadership team will begin work on the submission of the 501(c)3 non-profit status, forming the board of directors, writing the constitution and by-laws, and forming sub-committees to work on the logistics of the clinic.  Stay tuned to this Web site for further details.

How You Can Help

• Pray for the clinic
• Stay Informed and Volunteer
• Get your church involved as a sponsor
• Tell others about the clinic
• Financial Assistance (Send donations to FBC Belton and designate to Body of Christ Clinic)

Clinic Leadership

• Medical Director – Dr. Billy Ligon
• Executive Director – Julie O’Rear
• Administrative Coordinator – Craig Pearson

The following are some activities that might typically occur in the beginning of a clinic planning process, perhaps during months 1-3:

• Pray to discern God’s will for the clinic – Ongoing
  • FBCB Prayer Ministry and Prayers Chain
  • Missions Committee
• Request and receive official endorsement of church or FBO – submitted
  • Missions Committee – Endorsed via emails - ~2/13/09
  • Strategic Planning Committee 2/15/09, 4:00 p.m. - Endorsed
  • FBCB Business Conference 2/15/09, 5:50 p.m. – Unanimously approved
  • Submitted to ECHO 2/16/09; ECHO signed copy coming with John Mills?
• Form a planning team (see “Composition and Characteristics of Successful Faith-Based Clinic Planning Teams”), led by a strong organizer and communicator, and begin meeting regularly – Key Positions Roster and Lead Team Designations available
• Recruit a physician champion who will lend credibility to the clinic, reach out to the medical community, and advise on clinical issues – Dr. Ligon
• Research health care needs, assets, and resources in your community – Julie O’Rear and Emily Smith
  • Needs
    • Helping Hands – 1200 families
    • BISD Nurses – BISD POC - Pat Sleeth
  • Assets and Resources
    • Key Positions Roster Free Clinic “Members” - <100 (including Key Positions)
    • Helping Hands Organization and Facilities – continue recruiting through meetings and website - www.beltonfreeclinic.org
    • Affiliation with area clinics and hospitals - ongoing
• Visit and talk with other free/charitable clinics
  • Plano Free Clinic
  • Temple Free Clinic
  • Greater Killeen Free Clinic
• Connect with state or regional free/charitable clinic association, if there is one
  • Ready?
  • Who are responsibility / POC?
• Begin to form a plan for the clinic
  • Floor Plans – in progress
  • Procedures -

The following are some activities that might typically occur in the next stage of a clinic planning process, perhaps during months 4-6:

• Following the 3/2/09 Open Meeting form a representative community team of volunteers to accomplish the following tasks:
  • Craft statements of vision, mission, and values
  • Establish name of clinic
  • Determine scope of services (what), plan for operations (how), and target population (who)
  • If a church or group of churches is starting the clinic, form a new organization:
    • Form an initial board of directors
    • Prepare and submit articles of incorporation to state
    • Write bylaws
    • Open a bank account
    • Prepare and submit Form 1023 to IRS for 501c3 tax-exempt recognition
• Designate day-to-day management responsibility for the planning process, with an eye towards eventually hiring a director who will be accountable to the board
• Find suitable space for the clinic, and design for clinic use – ongoing with Helping Hands
  • Dr. Billy Ligon
  • Mike Bergman, Director of Helping Hands
  • Larry Neil, Architect
  • Ron Emerson, Construction Manager
• Open discussions with hospitals/health systems, public health, other agencies with an eye towards forming partnerships for funding, coordination of services, etc.
  • Dr. Billy Ligon
  • Patti Wright
• Develop a clinic “prospectus” or brochure that describes the plan for the clinic
  • www.beltonfreeclinic.org – Matthew Irvine
  • Prospectus / Brochure – Herb Cox
• Prepare a first-year budget for the clinic
• Identify prospects for funding and begin cultivation activities
• Become familiar with liability protections available for the organization, board and staff, volunteers, and property – ECHO or Church Mutual
• Present volunteer opportunities to prospective clinical volunteers
  • Using peer-to-peer approach, with help from physician champion if needed
  • Web presence - http://www.beltonfreeclinic.org/volunteer/
• Continue to pray for God’s leading!!

This agreement cleared the way for our ECHO consultant, John Mills, to return for a second open meeting on March 2 at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting will be held at First Baptist Church in room 255, which is located upstairs in the north side of the building.  The purpose of this meeting is to provide additional information on the process and where we are in it and to enlist more support for more organizations and members of the community.

Efforts continue on the floor plan of the free clinic inside the new Helping Hands building. Architect Larry Neal is assisting with that process. Other teams are working to define the needs within the clinic service area (which coincides with the Belton Independent School District), to establish formal relationships and agreements with all area clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, and to write grants to fund the renovations and operational costs for the first 18 months.

Come join the effort and get in on the excitement of this great project that will help so many of those in our area who are unable to afford health care.

I. PURPOSE, STRUCTURE, AND IDENTITY

A. The clinic will have a vision and mission to provide healthcare services to persons who are financially struggling and who are sick or in need of an essential health service (e.g. physicals for job applicants, immunizations, etc.).

B. The clinic will operate under the auspices of a nonprofit organization incorporated in the state where it resides and that has been designated by the Internal Revenue Services as a 501c3 or that has applied for 501c3 status.

C. The clinic will be Christian faith-based and free to express that identity any way it wishes; however, no patient will be denied care based on their religious belief or lack thereof, nor will any patient be required against their will to participate in or observe any religious practice.

II. GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT, AND PLANNING

A. The clinic will be governed by a board that is active and engaged.

B. The clinic will be managed by a competent leader with requisite skills and abilities for managing a charitable healthcare clinic.

C. The clinic will have a well-developed written business plan.

D. The clinic will have clearly-documented policies and procedures to guide administrative and clinical functions.

E. The clinic will track patient, service, and financial data for purposes of monitoring its progress and reporting to interested parties.

F. The clinic will have a written plan for growth to serve a statistically significant percentage of financially struggling individuals in its community.

III. BUDGET, FINANCE, AND FUNDING

A. The clinic will have a first-year budget based on sound planning of operations and a credible projection of income and expenses.

B. The clinic will have a written fundraising plan based on careful consideration of potential sources, including but not limited to churches, foundations, government, businesses, hospitals, and individuals. The clinic will consider giving patients an opportunity to contribute to the cost of their care – via a fee or donation – without creating a financial barrier or denying care because of inability to pay.

C. The clinic will have monies on hand sufficient to cover operating costs for at least three months.

D. The clinic will be an excellent steward of its financial resources, exercising care and control of its finances, accessing donated and in-kind goods and services wherever feasible, and preparing a monthly report of financial condition which will be made available to interested parties.

IV. SERVICES, SPACE, AND PERSONNEL

A. The clinic will deliver quality medical, dental, or mental health care, utilizing commonly-accepted practice protocols wherever possible.

B. The clinic will cultivate and promote an atmosphere of compassion, respect and dignity for its patients in everything it does from the moment they enter the door.

C. The clinic will operate at least one 3-4 hour clinic session per week on average.

D. The clinic will deliver services in a clean and well-organized space.

E. The clinic will facilitate access to prescription medications for clinic patients who need them, utilizing free or low-cost sources of medicines to the fullest extent possible.

F. The clinic will credential and privilege the licensed health professionals who deliver clinic services.

G. The clinic will consider the availability and use of volunteer health professionals in developing its clinical staff and service capacity.

V. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

A. The clinic will establish working relationships with other safety net providers and healthcare organizations (e.g. hospitals, public health) in the community that likely also serve the clinic’s patients.

B. The clinic will recognize it is not alone but is part of a growing universe of free/charitable clinics and has given due consideration to joining and/or affiliating with networks, associations, and other groupings of such clinics.

COMPLIANCE AND ASSET PROTECTION

A. The clinic will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

B. The clinic will have sufficient liability protections in place for the organization, its directors and officers, staff, and volunteers.