Chronic conditions such as hepatitis B, diabetes and hypertension continue to affect many Chinese, Asian and Pacific Islander communities across San Francisco. Yet language, cultural and financial barriers can make it harder for people to access preventive care, find available resources and stay on top of their health.
APA Family Support Services (APAFSS) is working to address those challenges.
For nearly four decades, the San Francisco nonprofit has provided health, social and community-based programs that help people and families navigate these everyday needs. Its mission is to provide culturally appropriate family support services to promote safety, wellness and economic stability. APAFSS operates three family resource centers in the city in Chinatown, Excelsior and Visitacion Valley/ Sunnydale.
APA Family Support Services recognized Sutter Health for years of investment in programs and partnerships that help strengthen community health and well-being across San Francisco | Aug. 30, 2026
One of its newer initiatives, Bridge to Care: Community Access & Chronic Disease Management, focuses on helping participants prevent and manage chronic disease while improving access to care.
The program is backed by a $50,000 community health investment from Sutter Health and Sutter’s CPMC. Through Bridge to Care, participants receive health education, screening services, nutrition guidance, benefits enrollment assistance and care navigation.
“The challenges facing families today don’t fit neatly into one category,” said Fanny Lam, executive director of APAFSS. “Health, nutrition, benefits and community support are interconnected, and people need an approach that reflects that reality.”
Community health workers meet one-on-one with residents, helping them schedule appointments, identify healthcare providers and navigate resources that promote well-being beyond the doctor’s office.
The program’s early reach reflects the demand. During the first six months of 2026, APAFSS served 654 individuals and 578 families, helped schedule 629 healthcare appointments and reached more than 1,000 people through outreach and education efforts.
“Community organizations like APAFSS are often the first place people turn when they need help,” said Tami Chin, operations executive at Sutter’s CPMC. “When trusted local nonprofits and healthcare providers work together, it’s easier for people to find services, address health concerns earlier and improve outcomes over time.”
See news coverage in the Sing Tao Daily.
Continued Commitment
CPMC and APAFSS have partnered for more than 20 years. Past Sutter investments have expanded behavioral health programs, strengthened care navigation efforts, advanced Medi-Cal certification initiatives and helped establish a permanent Family Resource Center in San Francisco’s Excelsior neighborhood.
The relationship was recognized during APAFSS’s 39th anniversary celebration in San Francisco’s Chinatown, where the organization honored Sutter Health among its longtime community partners.
“What makes this partnership special is that it’s built on a shared commitment to the community,” Chin said. “For years, APAFSS has helped residents find answers and overcome obstacles that can affect their quality of life. We’re proud to be part of that effort.”
Charles Deffarges, external affairs manager, Sutter Health; Tami Chin, operations executive, Sutter CPMC; Shalini Rana, senior director of government affairs, Sutter Health; and Will Douglas, community health director, Sutter Health
Tami Chin, operations executive at Sutter’s CPMC, speaks at APAFSS’ 39th anniversary celebration in San Francisco’s Chinatown
