HHS announces Health Center Planning Grant opportunity

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced up to $10 million in funding for a Health Center Planning Grant (HCPG) opportunity for organizations across the country that would like to become a Community Health Center.  The HCPG opportunity is intended to support organizations in the future development of a health center and will support approximately 125 HCPGs in FY 2011.  

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) administers the Health Center Program.  Health centers improve the health of the Nation’s underserved communities and vulnerable populations.  They assure access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health 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.

“This funding opportunity in the Affordable Care Act will help nurture organizations that answer the noble call to assist those who are medically underserved, underinsured and uninsured,” said Secretary Sebelius.

“The HCPG grants help organizations qualify to become CHC’s, which increases HRSA’s ability to serve more people,” HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.  “From oral health, behavioral health, to maternal wellness and serving those in rural communities, community health centers increase access for those in need of high quality preventive and primary health care.”

Eligible entities for the FY 2011 HCPG include public or nonprofit private entities, including tribal, faith-based and community-based organizations that currently do not receive the following section 330 funding awards:

Planning Grants
Community Health Centers
Migrant Health Centers
Health Care for the Homeless
Public Housing Primary Care Programs
Primary Care Associations

For more information about eligibility, guidance and application submission for the HCPG, visit www.grants.gov.  For more information on HRSA’s community health center program, visit http://bphc.hrsa.gov/.  For more information about Affordable Care Act investments in community health centers, visit www.HealthCare.gov.