5368579 ACR 20-297, District of Columbia Family Medical Counseling Services, Inc., Recognition Resolution of 2014

A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

20-297

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

December 2, 2014

 

To recognize and honor the Family and Medical Counseling Services, Inc., a community health center located in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C., which is sponsoring a town hall discussion about the impact of HIV/AIDS on the community as part of the observance of World Aids Day on December 1, 2014.

 

WHEREAS, Family and Medical Counseling Services, Inc. (“FMCS”), is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) community health center that has served residents in historic Anacostia and across the District with healthcare since 1976;

 

WHEREAS, FMCS has developed and delivered educational, prevention, and treatment services to address the critical healthcare and social service needs of African American communities;

 

WHEREAS, in observance of World AIDS Day 2014, FMCS is sponsoring a town hall discussion at Gateway DC/R.I.S.E. about “The Impact of HIV/AIDS, Mental Illness and Substance Abuse on Your Community—Successes and Challenges”;

 

WHEREAS, this year’s theme, “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation,” underscores FMCS' commitment to educating all D.C. residents about the best treatments, services, and prevention strategies for combating HIV/AIDS, mental illness, substance abuse, and other co-occurring health issues confronting residents living in poverty or at risk for HIV;

 

            WHEREAS, case studies reveal that more than 16,000 D.C. residents, or 2.5% of the population, are living with HIV, exceeding the World Health Organization's definition of 1% as a severe epidemic, and since 2008, there has been a 70% decrease in new infections as a result of FMCS programs;

 

WHEREAS, in 2010, FMCS expanded to become a federally qualified health center prompting an expansion in its outreach and approach;

 

WHEREAS, FMCS is a federally qualified health center being celebrated as a center of innovation through the creation of cutting edge educational programs such as HIV testing in non-traditional community sites such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Economic Security Administration;

 

WHEREAS, since its incorporation in 1976, FMCS has grown from a public welfare-focused staff of 4 social workers to a culturally competent staff of 70 in 2014 offering a full range of services from primary care to support services; and

 

WHEREAS, the FMCS' motto, "Quality Health Care from the Cradle to the Grave," expresses its care and concern for the total person living a full creative life.

 

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that the Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Family and Medical Counseling Services, Inc., a community health center located in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C., which is sponsoring a town hall discussion about the impact of HIV/AIDS on the community as part of the observance of World Aids Day on December 1, 2014.

 

Sec. 2. This resolution may be cited as the “District of Columbia Family Medical Counseling Services, Inc., Recognition Resolution of 2014”.

Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first day of publication in the District of Columbia Register.