By: Carly Truett, Writer / Follow South Jersey Public Health Intern
Two federally-qualified health centers in South Jersey will receive a combined total of $348,645 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced earlier this month.
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide community-based healthcare to underserved populations and communities. The FQHC designation comes with a set of requirements, including using a sliding scale for fees based on ability to pay. FQHCs receive funding from the HRSA Health Center Program. The HRSA Health Center program has existed for more than 55 years, and it serves nearly 30 million patients in the U.S. Many come from vulnerable populations — including those living in poverty, children, rural residents, and veterans.
The South Jersey FQHCs set to receive funding are CAMcare Health Corporation, which will get $175,250, and Project H.O.P.E., which will receive $173,395. CAMcare Health Corporation provides primary care, pediatric, dental, and other services to those in need across seven sites in both Camden and Gloucester Counties. Project H.O.P.E. specializes in the health of those experiencing homelessness in the city of Camden. It provides culturally sensitive health care, mental health, and substance abuse services.
“Health care centers like CAMcare and Project H.O.P.E. provide high-quality health care for our South Jersey residents who are most in need. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of health care centers in providing accessible services to at-risk residents,” Congressman Norcross said in a press release. “Additionally, these investments help us battle the disease of addiction at home, improve the well-being of our neighbors and friends and support the hard work-working health care professionals who dedicate their time to helping our community.”
CAMcare leadership stated that the funding will be used to help expand their behavioral health services, and Project H.O.P.E. plans to use the funding to improve quality improvement functions and expand services. The HRSA grants will help these health centers continue to provide essential services to those in need in South Jersey.
- What’s Good In South Jersey? STEAMWorks To The Rescue – With Isaiah Showell
- Despite Setbacks, Local Muslim Community Gets Closer To New Mosque
- What’s Good In South Jersey? The Unexpected Challenge – With Isaiah Showell
This article was produced by a Follow South Jersey news intern thanks to a grant provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through the New Jersey Health Initiatives program to create hyper-local news to meet the informational and health needs of the City of Bridgeton, N.J.
