FREE Foundation Overview
Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative
November 5, 2004
The Beginning
• Founded in Roanoke, Virginia – 1998• By a group of dedicated healthcare
workers who saw:– adults returning home from stroke,
spinal cord, brain injury & other serious illnesses
– without equipment needed to recover or return to a life of independence
– often becoming debilitated upon returning home
Mission
To acquire and provide mobility-related rehabilitative equipment to maximize functional independence and improve quality of life
Vision & Position
• Vision - To assist underserved adults to whom mobility
equipment is not otherwise available. - To be a model program for other
communities.
• Position– Helping adults achieve independence
through mobility!
Where We Serve
• Initially Roanoke, Virginia • Now serving Southwest & Southside,
Virginia• Next area - Eastern Shore• By 2006, FREE will expand to serve
the entire Commonwealth of Virginia
What We Help With
• Mobility related devices (recycled & customized)
– Wheelchairs– Walkers, canes & braces– Power wheelchairs & scooters– Prosthetics & orthotics – Bathroom equipment & similar items
Who We Help
• Adults 18 & older living in Southwest & Southside Virginia– In need of mobility-related rehab
equipment– With physician-determined medical need– Without other means to acquire
equipment• No insurance/Medicare/Medicaid/personal
funds
– Have confirmed financial need
The Uninsured
• Over 1 million Virginians are uninsured – 14.9% of all Virginians
Source: www.VHCF.org
The Uninsured
• Of those uninsured Virginians:– 77% are between the ages of 18-24– 67% work full time– 10% work part time
• Since 1996, the uninsured rates have:– risen 1.9% in Virginia overall– risen 5.4% in Southwestern Virginia
Source: www.VHCF.org
Success = OutcomesQuarterly Outcome Data
2003-2004
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Greaterindependence
Decreased falls Decreased Visits toER
DecreasedHospitalizations
Maintaining Level ofCare
Outcome Measure
Pe
rce
nt
Qtr 1 '03
Qtr 2 '03
Qtr 3 '03
Qtr 4 '03
Qtr 1' 04
Qtr 2 ' 04
Growth = NeedHow many people are Served by FREE?
1416
10
15
24
4543 43
62
7371
887 8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4
2001
2002
2003
2004
Our Support Base
• Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Trust Fund
• Harvest Foundation• Carilion Foundation• Christopher Reeve Paralysis
Foundation• Individual contributors• Fundraising events