HHS Awards $8 Million to Support Community Health Centers

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8 million to support existing community health center cooperative agreements. With funding from the Affordable Care Act, these cooperative agreements will help to provide training and technical assistance to community based organizations that work alongside community health centers. Traditionally, health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care.  Often operated in low-income communities, health centers provide comprehensive primary health care services as well as support services such as education and translation services. In 2009 alone, health centers served 18.8 million people of which 38% were uninsured.  The research also shows 92% of patients served by health centers in 2009 were making less than twice the poverty level (<200%).The community health center cooperative agreements awarded by HHS will help to sustain this vital support for children and families in communities across the country.

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