The Abbottsford Community Health Center and the Schuylkill Falls Community Health Center are nurse-managed primary health care centers serving two public housing communities by addressing many underlying health and social problems. Services are provided by nurse practitioners, three of whom hold joint appointments at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Nursing, Family Practice Division. Physicians are available for phone consultation and visit the Centers monthly. Alanon, Overeaters Anonymous, and Alcoholics Anonymous programs are located on-site.
Transportation is provided to specialists, dentists and the health centers when necessary.
The Centers' programs were designed by nurses who have fostered partnerships with the community. Tenant Council members from the public housing communities hold a majority of seats on the health center management board. The Community Health Education Committee is composed of health center users and the Centers' nurse educators. They evaluate and advise the director on Center programs, and determine whether those programs are appropriate to the needs of the community. The health centers are Healthy Beginnings Plus sites, Family Planning sites and are licensed centers for mental health, drug and alcohol treatment.