Waterbury, CT – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) secured $11,014,625 in funding for community health centers in CT-05 through the American Rescue Plan. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded funding to 4 community health centers in Danbury, Plainville, Torrington, and Waterbury as a part of the legislation, with awards beginning in April.
CT-05 based federal community health centers receiving funds:
- Connecticut Institute for Communities, Danbury: $3,047,125
- Wheeler Clinic, Plainville: $2,309,000
- Community Health and Wellness Center of Greater Torrington, Torrington: $1,357,125
- Staywell Health Care, Waterbury: $4,301,375
“Community health centers serve an essential role in our local health care system. These centers provide life-saving primary care for our most vulnerable families and individuals,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The importance of these centers is even more obvious during the pandemic. I am pleased that funding from the American Rescue Plan will help CHCs in our state sustain their critical missions and keep our neighbors healthy during unprecedented times.”
“This funding is most welcome. It will help us immediately to expand our COVID-19 vaccination program, and also help us respond to the long term effects of the pandemic. It is a major boost to public health in the Greater Danbury area, and all us at CIFC are very grateful for US Representative Hayes’ leadership on this legislation,” said James H. Maloney, President & CEO of Connecticut Institute For Communities, Inc.
"Wheeler is on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to testing and vaccinations, we're providing equitable access to primary care, behavioral health, and addiction services, all of which are needed more than ever because of the isolation and disruption of the past year. This award recognizes the critical work that Wheeler and Connecticut's health centers do every day, caring for our most vulnerable communities,” said Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, President/CEO of the Wheeler Clinic.
“We are relieved and grateful for the work of the CT delegation that has brought this funding to support StayWell’s ongoing testing, vaccination and primary care services to remain available for everyone during the pandemic and beyond,” said Don Thompson, CEO of StayWell Health Center.
Health centers will be able to use the funds to support and expand COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment for vulnerable populations; deliver needed preventive and primary health care services to those at higher risk for COVID-19; and expand health centers’ operational capacity during the pandemic and beyond, including modifying and improving physical infrastructure and adding mobile units. This investment will help increase access to vaccinations among hard-hit populations, as well as confidence in the vaccine by empowering local, trusted health professionals in their efforts to expand vaccinations.
HRSA-funded health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective primary health care to medically underserved communities and vulnerable populations, including high-need urban, rural, and frontier communities across the country. Health centers serve 1 in 5 people living in rural communities, and 1 in 11 people nationwide. More than 91% of health center patients are individuals or families living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and nearly 63% are racial or ethnic minorities.
Total awards for the state of Connecticut total $74,136,125 to support 16 health centers. For detailed information on how this funding is being distributed to health centers, including an interactive map of which health centers will receive funding, please visit: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/program-opportunities/american-rescue-plan/awards.
For information on ensuring equity in COVID-19 vaccine distribution, visit: https://www.hrsa.gov/coronavirus/health-center-program.
To locate the health center closest to you, you can visit FindAHealthCenter.HRSA.Gov.