Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) is one of 10 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Vermont to receive federal funding to further their efforts in combatting the national opioid crisis and its impact on the local community. Two years ago, CHCB had 250 patients in treatment for opioid use disorder; today, as one of the largest primary care “spokes” in Chittenden County, they provide treatment to 430 Vermonters.
With the help of this expansion grant, awarded this week by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), CHCB will continue to enhance their comprehensive Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program and integrated primary care model. Targeted funds will focus on prevention as CHCB expands clinical social work support to their obstetrical and prenatal services serving at-risk new mothers and families, increase staff training, and increase technology infrastructure to support enhanced universal screening for depression and substance use.
“HRSA funding recognizes CHCB as a leading, innovative public health institution tackling some of our most challenging community needs,” says CHCB CEO Alison Calderara. “At the same time, this new investment helps us push our programs even further with increased prevention and treatment efforts, technology upgrades and quality initiatives. With a clinical staff second to none, this funding both honors and helps support their hard work and commitment to the person-centered patient care that changes lives for the better.”
For 47 years, the Community Health Centers of Burlington have provided quality health care for Vermonters regardless of financial or insurance status. One of 12 Federally Qualified Health Centers in the state, CHCB has eight locations and is one of the largest nonprofit family health and dental practices in Chittenden and Grand Isle counties. For more information on their services and programs, visit www.chcb.org.
This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant H80CS00311, the Community Health Centers and Homeless Healthcare Program, at $3,035,000, 12 % of our funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Source: Community Health Centers of Burlington 9.24.2018