Through close partnerships with VHC Health, Arlington County Department of Human Services, and other local safety-net organizations, we directly accept referrals for some of the community’s most medically vulnerable individuals and ensure they don’t fall through the cracks.

As a member of Arlington County’s safety net, we work closely with other local nonprofits to address systemic barriers facing good health. Through this collaboration, we can connect patients with needs “beyond the exam room” and improve access to resources that they need to thrive. Additionally, our role in the safety net allows us to build and advocate for additional health care services for those in need in Arlington County.

AFC is one of the only organizations in Arlington providing direct healthcare services while simultaneously advancing systems-level change. Many organizations focus on either treating their patients or working upstream to change the conditions that contribute to poor health outcomes. With our paired priorities, we better serve our patients by having a clear understanding of the systemic barriers they face in achieving good health. As active members of county-wide task forces and collaborative initiatives, we help shape policies and systems that make it easier for all Arlingtonians to access the care they need to thrive.

One collaborative example of AFC addressing upstream conditions affecting health is our Linking Social Factors to Health in Arlington County (LINK) initiative. Through our partnership with Arlington County Department of Human Services and VHC Health Outpatient Clinic, we use collaborative data collection to help better understand the health and health-related needs of our community.