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C.H.A.S.S.
Community Health and Social Services Center, Inc.

Today, CHASS is regarded as a national model for the delivery of health care to urban populations.  The Center has successfully overcome the three barriers to health care- language, transportation, and access- and provides culturally competent primary services in English and Spanish.

CHASS' services are specifically designed to meet the needs of Southwest and Midtown Detroit's multicultural community.  The staff at CHASS is fully aware that patients must overcome obstacles to follow their prescribed medical regime.  In an effort to maximize the effectiveness of care, patients are given medical instructions in their primary language and provided translated written materials when necessary.  CHASS employs a bilingual staff and it is common to hear a variety of languages and dialects spoken in the CHASS waiting room.  

Although CHASS is a primary care center, its philosophy is to provide comprehensive care that improves the health and wellness of each patient.  Dental services are available to CHASS patients in addition to child health programs such as WIC.  Social workers are employed full-time by the Center and provide counseling and referrals.  CHASS has established links with the local mental health center and parenting programs.

To further accommodate patients of all income levels, CHASS provides a sliding fee schedule that charges patients for services based on their ability to pay.  While CHASS does bill for services and relies on third party reimbursement for part of its funding, no one is denied medical care because of an inability to pay.

In order to provide services to the central and near eastside area of Detroit, CHASS introduced a new location in 2001.  CHASS MidTown Center is not only a primary medical center, but it is also home to the REACH Detroit Partnership.  The mission of the REACH Detroit Partnership is to provide a community driven approach to preventing diabetes and its related conditions and improving quality of life through partnerships and collaborations.  REACH informs, educates and empowers families, communities, and healthcare providers through one-on-one relationships, support groups, and community-wide healthy lifestyle activities.  REACH works in several African American and Hispanic communities in the city of Detroit.

To reach out to the adolescent population in southwest Detroit, CHASS collaborated with Detroit Public Schools to open a high school based health center at Western International High School. This health center provides walk-in services for students, as well as comprehensive primary care services and social services using an interdisciplinary team of health and social service providers.   

In April 2000, the Detroit-based Skillman Foundation awarded a four-year grant to CHASS to implement LA VIDA.  LA VIDA is the Southwest Detroit Partnership to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence Against Latina Women.  It seeks to address the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the lack of culturally competent prevention and support services for women and their families.  LA VIDA interventions focus on the four broad program areas of training, community education, family support, and children/youth.