OUR HISTORY
The Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers was born during a pivotal era of transition—shaped by the challenges of early healthcare reform and driven by a spirit of innovation. What began as an informal alliance of ten community-based organizations in the early 1970s evolved into a powerful force for primary care leadership in Orange County. These visionary executive directors and clinic managers came together to exchange best practices, pool resources, and amplify their collective voice through trust and collaboration.
Even then, as now, their shared mission was clear: to create access points for health and social services for medically underserved and marginalized populations. In April 1974, their efforts culminated in the official incorporation of the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
For the past 50 years, the Coalition has served as a vital backbone for Orange County’s network of licensed community clinics. It functions as both a support system and a unifying platform for freestanding and mobile nonprofit health centers—providing a space where clinic leaders can share ideas, address challenges, and advocate collectively for their clinics and the patients they serve.
MISSION
The Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers is a consortium of safety net providers and key partners creating quality healthcare for vulnerable, underserved communities.
VISION
The Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers will be the “voice” of the uninsured and vulnerable.
