DAP Health: Compassionate Care for Borrego Springs

Who Is DAP Health ?

DAP Health has a rich history of serving the Coachella Valley community since its inception in 1984. Born during the height of the AIDS crisis, the organization was founded by a group of dedicated community volunteers. Originally established as a not-for-profit resource to support individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, DAP Health quickly evolved into a beacon of hope and compassion for those in need.

DAP Health has consistently adapted throughout its journey to meet the community’s changing healthcare needs. It has grown into a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) while never losing sight of its volunteer roots. Over the years, the organization has marked significant milestones, from establishing HIV testing programs to building specialized facilities for dental care and cancer treatment.

Comprehensive Healthcare Services: Addressing Borrego Springs Residents’ Needs

With its recent merger with Borrego Health, DAP Health is now poised to offer its compassionate care to the residents of Borrego Springs as well. This union brings together two healthcare organizations dedicated to serving their communities with the highest level of care and understanding.

Through this integration, Borrego Springs residents gain access to an expanded range of services catering to their unique healthcare needs. From primary medical care and infectious diseases to gender-affirming care, mental health services, and affordable housing solutions, DAP Health provides comprehensive healthcare services under one roof.

Striving for Health Equity: Removing Barriers to Care

At the heart of DAP Health’s mission lies a commitment to promoting health equity for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. By addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) such as language barriers, housing and nutrition insecurity, transportation limitations, and discrimination, DAP Health aims to remove barriers to care and ensure equal access to quality healthcare for all residents, including those in Borrego Springs.

Empowering a Healthier Future

With the collective expertise of the dedicated healthcare professionals from DAP Health and Borrego Health, the integrated system offers Borrego Springs residents an unmatched level of support and care. This collaborative effort empowers individuals to lead healthier and fulfilling lives, overcoming health challenges and achieving positive health outcomes.

The merger between DAP Health and Borrego Health represents a significant milestone in the journey towards a healthier Coachella Valley and Borrego Springs community. As the organization continues to build upon its legacy of compassion and care, it strives to ensure that every individual, regardless of their location, has access to the comprehensive and compassionate care they deserve.

DAP Health Wants Borrego Residents To Know:

Continuity and Seamless Care for Patients

As part of the merger between DAP Health and Borrego Health, every location from both organizations will continue to operate under their original name, branding, and signage. This ensures that patients feel familiar and comfortable with the facilities they know while benefiting from the integrated system’s expanded services.

Employee Integration: A Unified Team

All Borrego Health employees have been offered positions at DAP Health, and an overwhelming 99% of them have embraced the opportunity to join the combined entity. This seamless integration of skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals fosters a unified team committed to delivering top-notch care to the community, including Borrego Springs residents.

Expanded Access to Care: Appointments Across Locations

With the merger, patients of both DAP Health and Borrego Health now have the convenience of making appointments at any of the locations within the expanded system. This streamlines access to care and allows individuals to seek medical attention at the most suitable location for their needs.

Patient Support: FAQs for Clear Guidance

To ensure that patients have access to clear guidance and support, frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been made available. These FAQs address common inquiries and provide valuable information to help patients navigate the transition and experience a smooth continuation of care.

Collaborative Support from Alliance Members

As part of the integrated system, alliance members Innercare and Neighborhood Healthcare bring their expertise in Riverside and San Diego Counties, respectively. These fellow FQHCs offer guidance, support, and community connections as needed, further enriching the range of services and resources available to patients within the integrated healthcare network.

Through these efforts, the merger between DAP Health and Borrego Health aims to enhance the patient experience, provide continuity of care, and deliver comprehensive healthcare services to all individuals, including the residents of Borrego Springs, in a seamless and supportive manner.

DAP Health has a remarkable history of dedicated service to the Coachella Valley community, starting in 1984 during the height of the AIDS crisis. Founded by a group of grass-roots volunteers, Desert AIDS Project emerged as a not-for-profit resource to support individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, quickly becoming a beacon of hope and compassion for those in need.

Milestones in DAP Health’s History:

• 1985 : In response to the slow response from public agencies and the healthcare system to the HIV epidemic, Desert AIDS Project initiated its HIV/AIDS testing program after FDA approval of the first test to detect HIV antibodies in blood.
• 1994 : Recognizing the lack of accessible HIV care in eastern Coachella Valley, Desert AIDS Project opened a satellite office in Indio, providing HIV and Hep C screening, early intervention, and case management services for underserved and primarily low-income Hispanic/Latino communities.
• 1998 : As the client load increased, local philanthropists stepped in to purchase the current 44,000 square-foot campus in Palm Springs, enabling the organization to accommodate the growing demand for services and expand its medical clinic.
• 2001 : Responding to the nutritional challenges faced by clients affected by HIV due to unstable employment, the Morris & Linda Linsky family built a Food Depot on the Desert AIDS Project campus, offering healthy food distribution, grocery vouchers, and dietary guidance to over 300 clients monthly.
• 2007 : In acknowledgment of the lack of affordable housing for those living with HIV and other chronic conditions, philanthropist Philip Caplin funded Vista Sunrise Apartments on the Desert AIDS Project campus.
• 2008 : Addressing the difficulty of finding culturally competent dentists for clients affected by HIV, philanthropists Georgia & Gerald Fogelson built the first adult, HIV-specialty dental clinic in Riverside County on the Desert AIDS Project campus.
• 2012 : To combat the disproportionate impact of certain types of cancer on persons living with HIV, philanthropist Annette Bloch funded a specialized cancer care center dedicated to HIV-related cancer research, screenings, treatment, and prevention.
• 2014 : Desert AIDS Project launched Get Tested Coachella Valley, the nation’s first nonprofit-led region-wide HIV testing, prevention, education, and linkage to care initiative, with over 81,000 Coachella Valley residents tested for HIV.
• 2015 : To address the increase in sexually transmitted diseases, THE DOCK, a walk-in clinic providing HIV and STI testing, linkage to care, and access to HIV prevention medications, was launched with support from volunteers and donors.
• 2016 : Responding to the growing need for Hepatitis care, especially among persons living with HIV, the DAP Hepatitis Center of Excellence was established to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art expertise in managing, supporting, and curing Hepatitis.
• 2020 : With more than 50% of Coachella Valley residents living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, the VISION 2020 campaign was initiated to expand DAP Health’s campus, programs, and services to meet the needs of 10,000 potential clients, doubling the scope of service to communities in need.
• 2021 : Desert AIDS Project expanded its mission and became DAP Health, conveying a clearer commitment to the greater good and the diversity of over 9,700 people calling it their healthcare home, while still retaining and honoring its founding with the letters DAP.

Brighter Future for Borrego Springs Residents

As Borrego Springs residents, we eagerly anticipate DAP Health’s arrival. Their rich history of compassionate care and comprehensive services under one roof, along with the recent merger with Borrego Health, promise a brighter future for our healthcare needs. We look forward to experiencing their commitment to removing barriers to care and empowering our community’s health.