PHMC's Rising Sun Health Center in Olney has become the first federally qualified health center in the nation to offer integrated medical, financial and legal services.

The financial services are provided by PHMC affiliate Clarifi, a nonprofit community resource devoted to the region's lifelong financial literacy. Legal services are provided through a partnership with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, which offers free legal services, in civil matters, to low-income Philadelphians.

Adding these legal and financial support services at Rising Sun Health Center increases the center's capacity to assist vulnerable communities. The center can help clients understand and receive support regarding non-medical issues that influence their health and well-being. The legal services offered on-site two days a week include public benefits, such as help obtaining food stamps, assistance with utility issues (power being shut off), help with health care and insurance issues and advocacy for patients declined insurance. The financial services offered on-site three days a week by Clarifi include budgeting, improving credit, foreclosure assistance, how to handle medical debt and help understanding the premiums for the newly insured.

The unique partnership was the subject of a Daily News article. Read more: Olney Health Center is a one-stop-shop for medical, financial and legal counseling.