The office also helps communities that want to develop programs to increase access to health care. Community Development Community development is a comprehensive, sustained process that results in the development of long term relationships between health care providers, local government officials, educational and social services agencies and interested consumers working toward common goals. The result of these efforts is frequently the formation of a health care council or coalition with an established vision, goals, objectives and a work plan to improve the health of the community. The community development functions of the office assist communities in efforts to solve their health care access and disparities issues. This office offers assistance with the identification of health care problems, technical assistance to strengthen networking, forums for resource development, and the coordination of the placement of National Health Corps personnel and J-1 physician.
Consultants are available at no cost to facilitate discussions of health care issues.
The network is a partnership between the Department of Health, Florida's four university based medical schools, and ten AHEC centers that serve all Florida counties. The network sponsors a variety of programs designed to improve access to health care in medically under-served communities. Contact David Fairweather for additional information. The Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program is now located within the Department of Education. Florida Health Service Corps and Medical Education Reimbursement and Loan Repayment programs have no state funds available.