Families Together of Orange County (FTOC) stands as a beacon of hope and health within its community. As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike, this organization has deep roots in Orange County, starting its journey in 2003. From its inception, FTOC has prioritized a community-oriented approach to healthcare, understanding that true wellness extends beyond the individual to encompass the entire family unit. This commitment to keeping Family Together and healthy is what drives their mission every day.
The story of Families Together began when CEO Alexander Rossel partnered with private doctors to establish a medical and dental practice. Located at 661 West 1st Street in Tustin, which remains their headquarters, the initial vision was rooted in addressing critical gaps in healthcare access. Even as a private practice, the founders recognized the significant hurdles many patients faced. Language barriers, confusion navigating the complex healthcare system, and lack of transportation were immediately identified as key challenges. To combat these, the Tustin site proactively offered assistance in all three areas, notably providing free in-house transportation – a service that has become a signature feature across all Families Together locations.
In those early days of 2003, the clinic at West 1st Street was smaller than its current expansive site and focused solely on medical and dental care. Simultaneously, a resource center emerged in Santa Ana, in the Lyon Street area, with a dedicated mission to serve the Santa Ana community. This center was named Families Together of Orange County, a modest non-profit providing essential support like after-school tutoring and connections to local food banks. This early initiative demonstrated a core value: bringing families together through practical assistance.
Recognizing the potential for greater impact, the Tustin clinic began collaborating with Families Together of Orange County. The aim was to bridge the gap between medical services and community support. The clinic referred patients to the non-profit for resource assistance, while Families Together connected families in need with medical and dental care. This synergistic partnership flourished for nearly a decade, with clinic members actively participating on the non-profit’s board, fostering a strong sense of shared purpose and family together values.
A pivotal moment arrived between 2013 and 2014 when the resource center faced financial difficulties. The founder sought a leader to revitalize and expand the non-profit, approaching Mr. Rossel with this opportunity. He embraced the challenge, and in 2014, Alexander Rossel took the helm as CEO of Families Together. This marked the official birth of the modern Families Together of Orange County, leveraging the existing foundation to build something even more impactful for the community and truly emphasizing family together in a holistic way.
Under Mr. Rossel’s leadership and with the support of a new leadership team, the vision to transform the private practice into a community clinic gained momentum. This strategic shift was crucial for enabling Families Together to evolve into the rapidly growing healthcare hub it is today. Becoming a community clinic allowed for greater accessibility and a focus on serving a broader spectrum of the community, ensuring more families together could access vital healthcare.
Following a year of dedicated preparation, Families Together officially became a community clinic in 2015. The organization then achieved another significant milestone in December 2016, earning the prestigious Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike designation. This accomplishment was the result of a rigorous application process and a comprehensive 3-day federal inspection. Remarkably, Families Together became the first community health center in Orange County to achieve a perfect 100% score on its first attempt, a testament to their dedication and operational excellence. This perfect score has been consistently maintained across three consecutive federal site visits, showcasing their unwavering commitment to quality and their focus on keeping family together healthy.
The FQHC Look-Alike status empowered Families Together to reinvest in the community and significantly expand its service offerings. In the years since this achievement, under the guidance of the CEO and leadership team, Families Together of Orange County has become one of the fastest-growing community health centers in Orange County. This growth reflects their commitment to reaching more families and solidifying the idea of family together within the community.
Today, Families Together proudly facilitates over 10,000 patient visits each month, a clear indicator of the community’s trust and reliance on their services. Their reach extends across Orange County with additional sites in Garden Grove and Fountain Valley. Furthermore, the organization operates a dedicated Wellness Center in Tustin, offering a comprehensive suite of mental health services and specialized programs like weight resistance training and physical therapy. This expansion ensures that various facets of family together well-being are addressed.
Recognizing the diverse needs within Orange County, Families Together also utilizes four mobile health units. These units bring crucial healthcare services directly to vulnerable populations in locations such as homeless shelters, schools, parks, and shopping centers. Offering medical, dental, behavioral health, and vision services on the go, they break down access barriers and further reinforce their commitment to keeping families together and healthy, regardless of circumstance.
As Families Together of Orange County continues to expand and adapt, Mr. Rossel’s original vision of creating a healthcare oasis remains the guiding principle. The organization’s enduring dedication to community-driven healthcare ensures that the well-being of every individual and the strength of every family together remains at the heart of their mission.
