$8 Million to Help Develop and Modernize Community Health Centers

The Rockville, Md.-based Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the awarding of nearly $8 million for existing Community Health Center Cooperative Agreements. These agreements will provide additional training and technical assistance on a national, regional, and state basis to community-based organizations that support community health centers. Funding for the grants is made available by the Affordable Care Act.

Health Center Cooperative Agreements support the development and operation of health centers. Cooperative agreement organizations use training and technical assistance funds to support the following core functions related to supporting health centers: community development, expansion planning, patient-centered medical home development, meaningful use health information technology adoption and workforce development.

Community health centers serve nearly 19 million patients, about 40 percent of whom have no health insurance. Community health centers deliver preventive and primary care services at more than 7,900 service delivery sites around the country to patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Charges for services are set according to income.