Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers Inc. has received $50,000 from Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) in general operating support to help provide needed care to uninsured residents of the Santa Clarita Valley. The grant is part of the Foundation’s efforts aimed at strengthening the statewide network of community clinics and health centers and helping them provide high quality health care to millions of vulnerable Californians.

“Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc. is a vital part of California’s safety net,” said Peter Long, Ph., president and CEO of BSCF. “The struggling economy and cuts to key public services have made community clinics more important than ever before.”

The support comes at a time when SDFHC has been facing challenges due to state and federal budget cuts along with a growing number of individuals with less health care insurance and in need of care. “We could not be more thankful for this generous grant,” said Cheryl Laymon, executive director of SDFHC. “This will go a long way toward providing patient care for those who truly need it,” she said, adding that many of the non-profit’s patients are working individuals who simply cannot afford enough health care insurance for their needs.

SDFHC (www.sdfhc.org) operates three health centers in the Santa Clarita Valley?Canyon Country Health Center, Val Verde Health Center and Newhall Health Center?as well as outreach sites at College of the Canyons and California Institute of the Arts. SDFHC offers a full range of health care services?physicals, immunizations and vaccines, screenings and diagnostic tests, well baby care, and family planning?to those who may not seek health care elsewhere. Patients pay based on their income. This past year, SDFHC provided service for 11,000 patient visits.

Blue Shield of California Foundation (www.blueshieldcafoundation.org)is one of the state’s largest healthcare grantmaking organizations. The Foundation was formed by Blue Shield of California, a not-for-profit corporation with more than 3.4 million members, 4,800 employees, and 20 offices throughout California.

SDFHC was established in 1980 and named for long-time Val Verde resident and minister, the late Reverend Samuel Dixon. A not-for-profit community health center, SDFHC serves the greater Santa Clarita Valley, and is governed by a board of directors, all of whom are Santa Clarita residents. The mission of SDFHC is to enhance wellness by providing quality primary health care services and health education to unserved and underserved residents, with a special emphasis on serving the uninsured. Easily accessible services are available for the entire family in both English and Spanish. Medi-Cal, Blue Cross and Healthy Families are all accepted, and a sliding fee scale is offered, keeping health care affordable for all. Services are available at the Val Verde Health Center (661-257-4008), the Canyon Country Health Center (661-424-1220) and the Newhall Health Center (661-291-1777). SDFHC is supported by countless individuals as well as corporate sponsors who help make affordable health care possible. Tax-deductible contributions are welcome.