While many health care systems remain anchored to traditional models, Strong Children Wellness (SCW) prioritizes care that starts in the community. Born out of shared frustrations working in hospitals, the founders of SCW set out to meet the complex needs of families by partnering directly with trusted community-based organizations (CBOs). SCW is a network of primary care practices focused on delivering holistic, family-centered care. Their model, reverse integrated care, brings medical services into spaces where people feel safe and supported.
SCW’s commitment to its community is best reflected in one mother’s story. After bringing her young daughter in for a routine checkup, the child unexpectedly experienced a seizure. “I called Dr. Brown, and even though we had just seen her, she told me to come in right away,” said Nala.* When a sudden mass appeared days later, SCW quickly coordinated emergency scans and immediate referrals. Her daughter was diagnosed with stage four cancer at just two years old. SCW stayed by the family’s side during treatment and continued to support them even after it ended.
“They helped me with transportation, got me an apartment, and even found therapy for my older daughter when she was struggling,” Nala said. “They were there for me 100 percent. I didn’t have anyone else, and they became like family.”
“Health begins in communities, not clinics,” said Dr. Nicole Brown, SCW Co-Founder. “We’re proud to offer more than just primary care. Our model is about trust, context, and collaboration.”
Hoping to build on the support SCW provides for more families like Nala’s, SCW launched its Nurse Practitioner Health Equity Fellowship with support from a New York Health Foundation grant. The fellowship will recruit and retain family nurse practitioners while enhancing continuity of care.
Despite challenges, including workforce shortages intensified by COVID-19, SCW has stayed true to its mission. Early outcomes show reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression among patients, along with improved care engagement.
Social needs, which account for roughly 80% of health outcomes, are identified through universal screening practices embedded in every visit. SCW’s two-generational care model provides care for both children and their caregivers, often partnering with CBOs to connect families to housing support, food assistance, and more. At every step, SCW reinforces the importance of addressing social determinants of health.
Looking ahead, SCW plans to expand into a standalone wellness center as part of a broader hub-and-spoke model to provide comprehensive, community-rooted care.
Learn more about Strong Children Wellness’s work here.
*Name changed to protect privacy