RESOLUTION NO. 080952

Recognizing the Citizen Assist Program of the Kansas City Fire Department and the Visiting Nurse Association of Kansas City and its sponsors, the REACH Healthcare Foundation and the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, on receipt of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnership award to expand and continue this innovative health care initiative.

WHEREAS, many citizens contact the Citys 911 emergency system with problems for which the system is not designed or equipped to respond; and

WHEREAS, many of these citizens need assistance, advocacy, and care to identify and utilize the various systems and services the community; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas City Fire Department has formed a unique and productive partnership with the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Kansas City to provide in-home assessment, advocacy, and care for those whose needs extend beyond what the Departments response can accommodate; and

WHEREAS, the REACH Healthcare Foundation funded pilot of this partnership has already provided assistance to more than 200 Kansas Citians; and

WHEREAS, the REACH Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, nominated the Citizen Assist Program for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations National Local Funding Partnership as a project with strong potential to improve health care for vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, KCFD and VNAs Citizen Assist Program was one of 12 local projects selected for three years of cooperative funding; and

WHEREAS, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today announced its award of $498,554.00, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by REACH and the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City, to support this project and its expansion to other emergency medical response systems in our area over the next three years; Now, therefore,

be it resolved by the Council of Kansas City:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize and applaud the Citizen Assist Program for its innovative and collaborative efforts to address that difficult health and human service needs are identified and addressed for our Citys most vulnerable populations; and

Be it further RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to the organizations involved in token of their efforts to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all citizens of our community.

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