FAFCC Midweek Memo - October 8

Greetings FAFCC members, 

In this week's Memo, we have so much to share with you. We're especially thrilled to announce we've just been awarded a national award for our State Funds Grant Program! You'll find details below.  

You'll also find information on:

• TODAY's Learning Lab
• ER Diversion Data Project Relaunch
• The Year for Dental Therapy & more! 

We hope you enjoy this edition. As always, contact us with any questions about the items included. 

Warmly, 

Rebecca DeLorenzo, CEO
rebecca@fafcc.org

THERE'S STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR TODAY'S LEARNING LAB!
Learning Lab: Florida Rx Connects 
Wednesday, Oct. 8th 11 a.m. EST
Join us for a Learning Lab on the Florida Department of Health's Rx Connects Program. Learn how this program facilitates the donation of certain prescription drugs and supplies to eligible patients—and discover how your clinic can better serve patients through Rx Connects. Register here

ER DIVERSION DATA PROJECT RELAUNCH
Thanks to the work of the FAFCC Quality & Data Committee, we are excited to relaunch an update of the FAFCC Emergency Room (ER) Diversion Data Project. The new version reflects member feedback and lessons learned from our first year of data collection, making it easier and more impactful.

This project remains a critical tool for demonstrating how member clinics reduce unnecessary ER visits, strengthening our advocacy efforts. We ask all members to confirm their involvement by completing the ER Diversion Data Project Participation Form. Broad participation is key to ensuring our collective impact is seen and supported.

Please note: New tools and resources created from the first year of data will soon be available on the FAFCC website to help members apply the findings in their own work.

FAFCC RECEIVES 2025 POWER OF ASSOCIATIONS SUMMIT AWARD

We’ve got some exciting news to share—FAFCC has been nationally recognized for the incredible work of our State Funds Grant Program!

On September 25th, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) presented FAFCC with the 2025 Power of Associations Summit Award—their highest honor—for the impact of our grant program in strengthening Florida’s healthcare safety net.

Read more here about why this is so important and how you can help. 

2026: THE YEAR FOR DENTAL THERAPY
Floridians for Dental Access (FLDA) is calling 2026 the year for dental therapy — and advocates are being asked to stay alert and engaged.

“We’re calling on all advocates to be on high alert. The House Chamber is positioned to be fully supportive of dental therapy, but there’s still work to do starting immediately,” said Dr. Frank Catalanotto, president of FLDA.

A recent Florida Politics article highlighted the urgent need for action as access to dental care continues to decline statewide:

• Persistent dentist shortages, especially in rural counties, are driving the crisis.
• Costs for preventable dental pain and suffering reached nearly $1 billion in 2024 — a 77% increase since 2021.
• 146,000 Floridians sought emergency dental care in hospitals last year, a 25% increase since 2021.
• More than 4,000 Floridians were hospitalized in 2024 due to life-threatening dental infections.

Rural Counties Hit Hardest

Florida’s rural communities are feeling the deepest impact of the dental access crisis. In many small counties, you can count the number of practicing dentists on one hand — and in some, none at all. Glades County currently has zero licensed dentists serving nearly 14,000 residents. Nearby counties like Franklin, Lafayette, Madison, and Liberty each have fewer than five. For too many Floridians, that means long drives, long waits, or no dental care at all until pain becomes an emergency.

How You Can Help

• Add your clinic or organization’s name to the 550+ supporters of dental therapy in Florida via the Join Our Coalition page on the FLDA website.
• Follow Floridians for Dental Access on Facebook and X/Twitter.
• Keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming updates and calls to action.

Dental Therapy Has Huge Statewide Support
More than 550 organizations and individuals already back expanding access to care by authorizing dental therapists to practice in Florida. Together, we can make 2026 the year that changes Florida’s dental access story for good.
 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO-DO LIST

• Book your headshot – limited spots remain! 
• Register for the After-Hours Clinic Tour (includes hors d’oeuvres & refreshments!)
• Secure your hotel room – the room block closes this Friday, October 10th 
• Need to update your guest names? Submit them using this form.