By: Kari Radjewski, director of Marketing & Communications
For families in Detroit, accessing healthcare is becoming easier and more convenient thanks to Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI)’s “medical home” model – a trusted space where families receive both behavioral and physical healthcare in a safe, welcoming environment.
BFDI has long provided culturally sensitive family and behavioral health services. Now, with support from the Children’s Foundation, it is offering physical healthcare by embedding a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) into its Hope and Healing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) at the Samaritan Center.
“You can encourage people to go into counseling, you can help parents, you can address substance use, but if a parent or child has unmet physical health needs, they cannot achieve wellness,” said Kenyatta Stephens, CEO, Black Family Development Inc.
Creating a “Medical Home”
BFDI’s expanded healthcare model builds on lessons from a 2017-2022 pilot that revealed deep community trust. Families appreciated the nonjudgmental environment, where they felt safe and supported. However, they identified a key gap: primary care.
By bringing physical health services in-house, the organization improves convenience, continuity of care, and patient outcomes. Entire families can be seen at a single visit, and BFDI’s mobile health van eliminates transportation barriers.
Research shows that children with a stable medical home are more likely to receive routine primary care, experience fewer acute illnesses, and better manage chronic conditions. By integrating these services, BFDI is improving access and empowering families to prioritize their health – leading to brighter, stronger futures.
Philanthropy to kickstart change
The Children’s Foundation’s partnership with BFDI is a powerful example of philanthropy supporting organizations that deeply understand their communities and allowing them to drive lasting change.
This enables BFDI to eliminate barriers to care and implement a sustainable healthcare model that will serve children and families into the future.
Transforming healthcare access is a process, and philanthropy plays a critical role in making it possible. A $50,000 grant from the Foundation has been instrumental in launching this effort, covering a third of the cost of integrating the FNP into BFDI, with the remainder supported by federal grants.
Expected impact and sustainability
BFDI’s broader vision is to create a healthcare model where families build lasting relationships with trusted providers, improving both individual and community health – but to be sustainable, they must have a plan. Since joining in October 2024, the FNP has set a goal to serve 100 individuals per month in its first year. The role will be supported long-term through Medicaid and private insurance reimbursement.
BFDI is also partnering with organizations that lack physical healthcare services, enabling them to refer families to BFDI. These referring partners will also participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to address the health needs of their communities’ members.
To further enhance care, BFDI is developing a referral network for specialty services, allowing the FNP to provide warm hand-offs for conditions like asthma, diabetes, maternal health, and more. Discussions are also underway to expand services to include dental care.
A healthier future for Detroit kids and families
For too many families in Detroit, their physical health has been an afterthought – not by choice, but by circumstance. With a strong foundation of trust, collaboration, and community-driven solutions, BFDI’s medical home model is creating a lasting impact on healthcare access.
As BFDI continues to strengthen partnerships and expand its reach, their goal remains clear: sustainable, high-quality healthcare for all. With support from the Children’s Foundation and other funders, this model is not just a temporary solution – it’s a pathway to healthier futures for children and families across Detroit.
