March 2025 Newsletter

2025 FCOM Survey -- We Need Your Data!

Have you completed your FCOM Annual Survey?

It is due March 31st, and is separate from the NAFC survey this year. An email with the survey link was sent out in January. If you did not receive it, you may access it here.

Why you should care: The information collected in this survey is compiled and shared in the infographic we use to report your impactful work to stakeholders, including grantmaking foundations and the state legislators that determine appropriation funding.

Information we request: Many of the questions are similar to your NAFC survey, if you completed one. Otherwise, expect questions on number of patients, services provided, staff and volunteer numbers, your clinic's budget and how patient eligibility is determined. Most are multiple choice!

FCOM Annual Conference

Just Two Months Away!

17th Annual Conference

May 9, Friday 8:30 – 4:30

Michigan Dental Association, 3657 Okemos, MI 48864

Breakfast Board and Lunch Provided

FCOM Members: $60 per person

All others: $80 per person

Please see the registration form here. See the sponsorship flyer here.

Tentative Agenda:

Our agenda is in the works! Expect guest speakers, time to discuss pressing issues among free clinics, and a presentation on building relationships with stakeholders. We will include further details as they are confirmed.

Hotel Information:

The following hotels will honor these rates for visitors who mention FCOM attendance as their reason for staying, so long as the dates of your stay are within the dates of Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11.

Courtyard East Lansing Okemos

3545 Meridian Crossing Dr

Okemos, MI 48864

517-347-9940

Standard king or 2 queen - $145

Staybridge Suites Okemos

3553 Meridian Crossing Dr

Okemos, MI 48864

517-347-3044

Queen studio - $145

1 bedroom king or 2 Queens - $199

Executive Directors:

Have you looked at your original 501 application wording lately?

Is the work you do now covered by your original 501 application wording?

The original 501 ONLY covers those original services. There is a chance (hopefully remote) that your clinic could have its status cancelled if your current work and your current application wording do not match.

If your work no longer matches that statement, you can file an amendment to update your statement.

If you don’t have the original statement, you can obtain a copy here.

ICE at Your Clinic

If an ICE team has come to your clinic for whatever reason, please contact Ariana Gordillo, agordillo@nafc.org at NAFC, whether you are a member or not. They are trying to keep track of ICE activity at our clinics.

Search your previous emails from us for NAFC's Immigration Toolkit. If you cannot find it or never received it, please email us at admin@fcomi.org or reach out to Ariana at NAFC directly for a copy.

Remember to Renew Your Membership

Stacey Doyle sent out the membership renewal packet last month.

If you did not receive the packet, email Stacey at stacey@gcfmc.org.

Our validity is strengthened by the number of clinics we represent.

Resources

The Poverty Guidelines API, now available with 2025 data.

Many of our clinics use these federal guidelines to determine clinic use eligibility. The hyperlink in the blue segment of the title above will take you to the guide.

Michigan Citizen's Guide to the State Government (FREE!)

You can order from the state or request one from the office of your district's state representative or senator. The latest issue available online is the 2023-2024, but it does list all of the senators and representatives. I have attached the list of the current senators and representatives on the 5 committees that oversee appropriation to free clinics. Additionally, pages 1 through 3 is a short “how to” guide on contacting your legislators.

We need to have our appropriation increased. Why would the House and Senate do that if they don’t even know they have our clinics in their district?

Speaking of Appropriations... An UPDATE

The 2025 appropriation was divided among 38 clinics, each receiving $10,526.

This is not enough. It is crucial that clinics begin forming relationships with their local representatives. Legislators need to know about the valuable services you provide to their constituents and just how much money is required to make that possible.

April is a good month to introduce yourself, especially if your representative is on one of the committees that votes on free clinic appropriations. The upcoming appropriations in Governor Whitmer’s submitted budget are being reviewed this month and next. The House and Senate can still change the suggested appropriation amount.

Click here for the list of state representatives and senators sitting on the five committees who have the power to increase our appropriation.

Also, check out this one-page document we use when advocating for you.

Still Looking for Next Executive Director

If you are interested, or even curious about the position, please email Ann aheler@fcomi.org or call her at 248 635-8695. She will send you a breakdown of the position's responsibilities and the official position announcement.

FCOM Facebook Page

Gentle Reminder: We want to share your successes!

If you have anything you would like to post on the site: fundraisers, events you are doing in the community, awards or news articles your staff or the clinic has received or written, please send the information to Elyse at ecady@fcomi.org so we can post it on our page.

Assistance from the FCOM Office

Carolyn Barr: FTCA submission paperwork/questions

cbarr240@comcast.net

Ann Heler, ED: Clinic operation issues/questions

admin@fcomi.org

Mary Jo Byrne: FCOM Board President/everything

mjbyrne@fountain-clinic.org

Elyse Cady: VISTA member: Grants support/office assist

ecady@fcomi.org

Follow FCOM on Facebook