
Increasing Health Services in Polk, Hardee & Highlands Counties



UWCF’s Health Initiative helps to improve condition specific health indicators and reduce unnecessary ER visits, days in the hospital, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.
Help us to improve the health of our fellow citizens.
UWCF worked with local health experts to identify the health services that would meet local, critical needs and the specific assessments that would reliably measure the results of funded services.
With guidance from experts on the Health Steering Team, UWCF increased access to health care for the hard working, uninsured.
Polk County is the ninth most obese county in the nation. After participating in several community-wide health assessment plans, UWCF prioritized services for illnesses related to obesity (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), behavioral health (mental illness and substance abuse) and dental services as the top three critical health issues in central Florida. Local studies are reviewed with experts annually.
6,319
individuals received multiple health services.
71%
of children and adults measurably improved their health.








Types of Health services we fund:
- Medical and dental treatment with a primary physician
- Mental health services for individuals and families
- Treatment for substance abuse
- Home visits, meal deliveries, transportation and exercise/balance classes for seniors/disabled adults
How we hold these services accountable:
- Patients will improve a specific physical health condition (BMI, BP, blood sugar levels, illness/infection, etc.), behavioral health condition (depression, substance abuse, etc.) and/or will reduce avoidable ER visits, days in the hospital and/or institution
- High-risk seniors and terminally ill patients who receive weekly services funded by UWCF will remain safely in their homes independently or with family
Partner agencies with funded services include:
- Alliance for Independence, Inc.
- Catholic Charites of Central Florida
- Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center
- Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County, Inc.
- Florida Epilepsy Services
- Good Shepard Hospice
- Heartland Horses Equine Activities and Learning, Inc.
- InterAct Alliance
- Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine
- Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision Polk Division
- Neighborhood Service Center
- NU-HOPE Elder Care Services, Inc.
- Peace River Center for Personal Development, Inc.
- Ridge Area Arc
- Sunrise Community of Polk County
- Talbot House Ministries of Polk, Inc.
- Tri-County Human Services
- VISTE

Contact Us
BY MAIL
PO Box 1357,
Highland City, FL 33846
BY PHONE
863.648.1500
VISIT US
5605 US Highway 98 S.
Lakeland, FL 33812
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