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Families Together of Orange County (FTOC) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The organization began its journey to becoming the oasis in the healthcare industry it is today in 2003, when CEO Alexander Rossel partnered with private doctors to found a medical and dental practice at 661 West 1st Street in Tustin, the site where the health center is still headquartered today. 

Despite initially being established as a private practice, the organization always approached healthcare with a strong community-oriented mindset. Right from the outset, the organization was acutely aware of the obstacles hindering patients from accessing vital care. With unwavering determination, they set out to tackle these challenges head-on, identifying language barriers,a lack of knowledge in navigating the healthcare industry, and transportation limitations as the key areas needing attention. As a result, the site at 661 West First Street began providing assistance in all three aspects from its very inception, including the provision of in-house free transportation—an enduring hallmark of all Families Together locations to this day.

Back in 2003, the private medical and dental clinic founded at 661 W. 1st Street only comprised a fraction of the site it holds in Tustin today, and was limited to medical and dental services. At the same time, a resource center in the heart of Lyon Street in Santa Ana was founded with the aim of assisting the Santa Ana community.  That resource center was called Families Together of Orange County, a small non-profit providing help with after school tutoring, connecting families to food pantry resources, and more. 

In an effort to broaden the reach of the private practice, the clinic at 661 W. 1st Street began working with Families Together of Orange County to connect the nonprofit’s families with medical and dental services, and in turn connect the clinic’s patients to community resources. This partnership remained strong for almost a decade, with members of the clinic serving as board members of the nonprofit for a number of years.

In 2013 and 2014, the resource center was finding it difficult to keep Families Together afloat. So, its founder made the decision to pass on the reins to someone new that could revive and grow the nonprofit. They approached Mr. Rossel with the opportunity, which he gladly accepted. When Mr. Rossel took over Families Together, he also assumed the role of CEO, and in 2014 the Families Together of Orange County that we know today was officially born.

With support from the new leadership team at Families Together of Orange County, Mr. Rossel brought forth the idea to transform the private practice into a community clinic. This move was essential in allowing Families Together to become the fast growing healthcare hub we see today. 

After a year of preparation, Families Together became a community clinic in 2015, and in December of 2016, it became a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike. This achievement involved an extensive application process and a rigorous 3-day federal inspection. Upon completion, Families Together became the first community health center in Orange County history to pass all requirements and inspections with 100% on the first attempt. Today, Families Together proudly holds three consecutive 100% federal site visit scores – all achieved on the first attempt.

Becoming an FQHC Look-Alike marked the beginning of an extraordinary period of growth for Families Together. Over the next 10 years, the organization expanded its footprint, added new programs and services and developed a comprehensive model of care encompassing medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, wellness, specialty and mobile health services. Through that growth, FTOC continued to invest in its communities while establishing itself as one of the fastest-growing community health centers in Orange County. 

In August 2026, Families Together reached another historic milestone when it was selected by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a New Access Point, officially transitioning from an FQHC Look-Alike to a fully funded Federally Qualified Health Center. FTOC was one of just four health centers selected in Orange County and 27 across California as part of a historic federal investment and the first major expansion of the Health Center Program since 2019. 

The transition to a funded FQHC came 10 years after Families Together first became a Look-Alike and opened a new chapter for the organization. With access to additional federal funding, resources and opportunities through the Health Center Program, FTOC is positioned to build upon the foundation established over the previous decade, expand access to care and continue responding to the evolving healthcare needs of Orange County communities.

Today, Families Together serves more than 23,000 patients annually and facilitates more than 1,000 visits each month. The organization has expanded beyond its original Tustin location into additional Orange County communities and built a comprehensive continuum of services designed to address both healthcare needs and barriers to accessing care.

Through its mobile health program, Families Together also brings healthcare directly to some of Orange County’s most vulnerable populations, offering medical, dental, behavioral health and vision services at homeless shelters, schools, parks, community events and other locations throughout the county. 

As the organization continues to grow and evolve, Mr. Rossel’s vision of creating an oasis in the healthcare industry serves as an enduring beacon of inspiration for the health center. With each passing day, Families Together reaffirms its commitment to fostering a healthier community, where the spirit of community-driven healthcare prevails, and the welfare of every individual remains at the heart of its mission.