Home»Our History

Our Story

Rooted in compassion and community, Hurtt Family Health Clinic (HFHC) began in 1994 as part of the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM), created to meet the comprehensive healthcare needs of those experiencing homelessness. From the very beginning, we have been dedicated to integrated, accessible care, collaborating with individuals on their health journey to overcome barriers and move toward self-sufficiency.

Today, HFHC stands as a vital safety-net provider for Orange County’s homeless, uninsured, and medically underserved populations—offering whole-person care that goes beyond treatment to create pathways to health and hope.

 

Timeline of Our Growth

1994 – Launched as Orange County Rescue Mission Health Services in a converted mobile home, delivering free medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness.

2004 – OCRM acquired Casa de Salud in Santa Ana, strengthening service delivery and extending access for vulnerable populations.

2008 – The clinic relocated to the Village of Hope, a 5.1-acre campus built on the former Tustin Marine Air Base, providing expanded space and stability for care.

2009 – Renamed the Hurtt Family Health Clinic in honor of the Hurtt family’s generosity. Later that year, HFHC became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

2012 – Achieved Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designation as both a Community Health Center and a Health Care for the Homeless provider. HFHC became one of only two health centers in Orange County to receive 330(H) federal funding dedicated to homeless healthcare.

2012–2023 – Grew into a multi-site provider, operating 4 medical clinics and 2 mobile clinics, and broadened services to include medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry, chiropractic, acupuncture, substance use treatment, and community services.

2024 – HFHC continues to serve as a trusted provider:

  • 7,625 medical patients with over 20,000 visits
  • 1,049 dental patients with 3,200 visits
  • 1,536 behavioral health patients with over 14,000 visits
  • 150 substance use treatment patients with 1,000 visits
  • 169 acupuncture patients with 722 visits

Each year, thousands of patients rely on HFHC’s comprehensive services to meet their whole-person needs—healthcare that heals both body and spirit.

 

What is an FQHC?

A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is a community-based healthcare provider recognized by the federal government for its mission to serve underserved and medically vulnerable populations.

Key features of FQHCs:

  • Funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act and eligible for enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Provide comprehensive services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, substance use treatment, transportation, and specialty referrals.
  • Governed by a community-led board, with at least 51% of members being patients.
  • Operate on a sliding fee scale and never deny services based on ability to pay.

FQHCs like HFHC are cornerstones of the healthcare safety net, delivering high quality, affordable, and accessible care to those who need it most.

 

What Is Community-Based Health?

Community-based health is about bringing care directly to the community—ensuring it is accessible, culturally relevant, and holistic.

It means:

  • Offering care in trusted community settings, such as mobile clinics, health fairs, and neighborhood-based facilities.
  • Employing staff who live in, speak the language of, and understand the lived experiences of those they serve.
  • Treating the whole person, with a focus on prevention, education, and social context such as family and community.
  • Ensuring equity and access, with care never refused because of inability to pay.

At HFHC, community-based health isn’t just a model, it’s our mission in action.