SHEPHERD'S HAND FREE CLINIC INC

SHEPHERD'S HAND SUPPORTS AND IMPROVES THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THOSE IN NEED. THIS YEAR BROUGHT ABOUT BIG CHANGES FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE PROVIDED FREE MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE FOR OUR LOWER INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAID EXPANSION IN MONTANA HAS EFFECTIVELY INCREASED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR THOSE WE WERE SERVING. WE ACTIVELY ASSISTED OUR PATIENTS WITH THEIR TRANSITION TO MEDICAID. AS A RESPONSE TO A DECLINE IN OUR PATIENT NUMBERS, WE IMPLEMENTED A VOLUNTEER CAREGIVING PROGRAM, SUPPORTING OUR AGING POPULATION WITH NON-MEDICAL SERVICES. AS WE SAW THE DEMAND FOR THIS INCREASE, WE CONCLUDED THAT IT WAS TIME TO FULLY CEASE OUR HEALTHCARE OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON AND BUILD OUR VOLUNTEER CAREGIVING PROGRAM. IN 2024 WE COMPLETED THIS TRANSITION. OUR VOLUNTEER CAREGIVING SERVICES INCORPORATE FRIENDLY VISITING, HELP WITH LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING & MINOR HOME REPAIRS, TRANSPORTATION FOR ESSENTIAL NEEDS, AND RESPITE FOR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS.