First 5 Fresno County and FUSE are collaborating to expand access to community-based healthcare by strengthening the operational and financial capacity of local organizations. FUSE Executive Fellow BJ Harlow will engage diverse stakeholders, including community-based organizations (CBOs), health systems, and public agencies, to understand barriers to funding access and to service delivery. Through a listening tour and best practice research, Harlow will identify opportunities to align funding streams, improve administrative systems, and support culturally responsive care.
Harlow will develop practical tools, including a funding matrix, cost-calculation models, and strategies to navigate Medi-Cal and other funding sources. In addition, Harlow will design a CBO academy to build long-term capacity in financial management, compliance, and service delivery. By fostering partnerships and enabling sustainable access to funding, this project will empower CBOs to scale their impact and expand healthcare access across Fresno County.