WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced recently the release of $338 million from the Recovery Act for to expand services at community health centers around the country. Four facilities on the Central Coast will receive a total of $1.2 million from this program.
“The economic recovery bill is not only about creating jobs, it’s also about taking care of the many Americans who have been left behind over the past eight years,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). “This injection of funds will help our community health centers increase their services to a wider range of people on the Central Coast.”
Local facilities receiving grants:
- San Benito Health Foundation, Hollister, $232,000
- Clinica De Salud Del Valle De Salinas, Salinas, $429,921
- Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency - Homeless Persons’ Health Project, $224,451
- Salud Para La Gente, Watsonville, $303,327
These funds, known as Increased Demand for Services (IDS) grants, are being distributed to more than 1,100 health centers nationwide.
Health centers are expected to use the funds to create or retain around 6,400 health center jobs. The funds can be used to add new providers, expand hours of operations or expand services.
“These funds are coming at a critical time for us in Santa Cruz County,” said Christine Sippl, Senior Health Services Manager for the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency - Homeless Persons’ Health Project. “They will prevent lay-offs of much needed health services personnel and will allow us provide care to uninsured homeless children and adults, many of whom are experiencing homelessness for the first time as a result of the recession.”
Community-based Health Centers have been around for more than 40 years and serve populations with limited access to health care including low-income families, the uninsured, individuals with limited English proficiency, farm workers and the homeless. For more information about health centers or to find a local facility, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov.