Health Council of South Florida

Our Vision

 

To be the organization of choice that drives integration, collaboration and engagement for improved health and wellness in the communities we serve.

Our Mission

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To be the source of unbiased health and quality of life data and analysis; the preferred partner for quality program planning, management, evaluation, and community services; the facilitator of collaboration and partnerships in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties; and the trusted champion for ethical and targeted healthcare policy at the local, state, and national levels.

 

Our History

 

The Health Council of South Florida (HCSF) is one of eleven local health councils created by S 408.033 to coordinate health services planning across the state. Insofar as the Health Council of South Florida has determined that health services are and must be based on a foundation of ethics, our strategic goals emphasize reducing disparities in access to care, improving health promotion, and minimizing the effects of HIV/AIDS, with an emphasis on Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

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The Council’s Board of Directors is composed of 12 health care providers, purchasers and nongovernmental consumers who serve for two years and are eligible for reappointment. Under its direction, areas of emphasis have encompassed population and regional health planning, program development and evaluation, disease management, ethical standards for a healthy community, trauma service coordination, and the formation of cost-effective health policy that is responsive to the health needs of South Florida residents.

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The Council has a proven track record and extensive experience in the financial management of pass-through dollars for various projects across the State of Florida and in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

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As the preferred partner for strategic and community-based planning, the HCSF provides substantial benefits to the residents and health care providers in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

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For 45 years, the Council has set the standard for excellence in health planning by serving as an objective source of healthcare information, fostering community dialogue on contemporary health issues and developing solutions for emerging health needs.

 

Our Values

 

Holism

 

The holistic approach to health recognizes the importance of the whole person—the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions—as well as the way people interact with the cultural and physical environment.

 

Informed choice

 

Individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their health, including personal behaviors, health services, treatment options and end-of-life care.

 

Cultural diversity

 

Racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity is a valuable community resource. Health care leaders have the responsibility to work together proactively to reduce disparities in health status, outcomes, and care.

 

Responsibility

 

Because healthy lifestyle practices and behaviors contribute to a person’s health and well-being, each person is responsible for his/her own health. The health and wellness of the community as a whole, however, is a responsibility shared by providers, purchasers, consumers, governmental agencies, and other community leaders, who have a responsibility to work collaboratively to promote and protect the health of the community.

 

Accountability

 

The health system should be accountable to the public for the quality of health care services, the effectiveness of health promotion and disease prevention programs, and the responsible use of limited healthcare resources.

 

Planning

 

A comprehensive, participatory, and strategic approach to health planning is necessary to engage the entire community, build collaborative efforts, marshal appropriate resources, and affect systemic change.

 

Evidence-Based Practices

 

Establishing community health indicators and evaluating the outcomes and impact of health programs and services are important mechanisms for ensuring quality, effectiveness, and accountability. While innovative approaches are necessary to meet the challenges of community health, priority should be given to the use of best practices and evidence-based interventions that have already demonstrated effective outcomes.

 

Our Beliefs

 

• The Council serves as the conscience of the community and provides an objective, independent voice for the public-at-large as it relates to the healthcare delivery system

• Basic health care benefits are a right, not a privilege and access to a basic set of health services and information should be provided to everyone, at a cost the community can afford

• Affordable comprehensive health insurance is a viable mechanism for assuring access to quality health care

• Greater focus should be placed on wellness and prevention, as a cost-effective measure to complement the system of care

• The health system should be accountable to the public for 1) quality of care; 2) patient safety; and 3) effective use of limited healthcare resources

• Consumers have the right to receive culturally and linguistically competent services and care that respects the individual’s personal, philosophical, and religious beliefs

• Healthcare leaders have the responsibility to work together proactively to reduce disparities in health status, outcomes, and care