Effective October 1, 2024, Dakota Child and Family Clinic (DCFC) is excited to become an Open Door Health Center (ODHC). This merger is the result of many months of hard work by our staff and leadership to secure quality care for our patients.

Our patient experience at DCFC will not change. As noted on the graphic above, the only changes our patients will see are the need to fill out new paperwork—even as an already-established patient—and a different title on their bills. 

In the fall of 2023, DCFC faced an uncertain financial future. Our committed donors had done so much for us, but it just wasn’t enough to guarantee uninterrupted care for the community that relies on us. Our CEO decided to approach the MN Association of Community Health Centers (MNACHC). The financial struggle we were experiencing needed a long-term solution, and merging with an established Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) seemed like an excellent answer. MNACHC was able to direct us to Open Door Health Center of Mankato, who were looking for expansion opportunities.  

The mutual benefit to both organizations was immediately clear, and a path forward was planned. In the spring of 2024, ODHC entered into a Managed Service Agreement with the DCFC staff, and the plans began to merge the two entities permanently.  

As we move forward, we can plan new service lines, a potential new location, and at the end of the day, more people receiving the care they need.