About Us

Community Health Initiative of Orange County (CHIOC) exists to make a more equitable Orange County by making healthcare accessible and beneficial so residents can live healthy and successful lives.

Serving approximately 28,260 residents per year, CHIOC provides a bridge to healthcare services for individuals who—due to economic, language or proximity barriers—might otherwise never see a doctor outside of emergency circumstances, leading to unaffordable, high medical costs. Sadly, low-income families are more likely to be uninsured, which negatively impacts quality of life and financial stability and leads to a cycle of generational poverty (Kaiser Family Foundation, Key Facts about the Uninsured Population, 2020).

Our History

Launched in 2006 as part of a statewide network of children’s health initiatives, CHIOC has since expanded to not only serve children, but entire families and individuals, breaking down barriers to healthcare coverage and connecting them to crucial programs and services. In 2015, we became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, having built a solid reputation for expertise, efficiency, and trust in our community.

Over the past decade, CHIOC established best practices for the industry as a whole, using our case management model to create a comprehensive support system to guide individuals through the entire process of utilizing healthcare services—from obtaining access, to making the most of the benefits, to maintaining healthcare coverage on an ongoing basis.

Our Mission

To connect all children, families and other adults to affordable and quality healthcare and social services.

Our Goals

  • To find and assist all children and families without healthcare.

  • To educate families about healthcare programs and the value of preventive care.

  • To ensure that each child has a health home with a primary physician and dentist.

  • To help families utilize and retain access to healthcare services.

In 2024, CHIOC enrolled 6,022 individuals into healthcare and social service programs and renewed coverage for 460 residents, ensuring continuity of care. Through community outreach, CHIOC reached 20,140 individuals and connected with 509,541 more through digital platforms like Instagram, Facebook, text messages, and newsletters. Our team also completed 33,644 care coordination contacts for 1,638 clients by helping them get the care they needed by scheduling primary care appointments, connecting them with specialists, and sharing information about local resources.

CHIOC’s Health Access Assisters and Specialists meet with individuals one-on-one to provide education on the services available to them and their families. Assisters/Specialists assist in navigating health and social service programs, signing up for coverage, making the most of health care benefits, and maintaining coverage.

CHIOC helps individuals determine eligibility and enroll in the following programs:

  • Medi-Cal
  • Covered California
  • Kaiser Community Health Care Program
  • CalFresh (Food Stamps)
  • CalWORKs (Cash Aid)
  • General Relief