Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced more than $25.7 million in grants to increase and improve health and support services at Community Health Centers.

Overseen by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the Community Health Center system served more than 17 million medically underserved persons in 2008. Since the economic downturn, the health center patient population has grown by another one million persons.

A total of 180 grants worth more than $21.9 million will give existing health centers the funds to add or increase mental health/substance abuse, enabling (i.e. outreach, transportation, case management services), oral health or pharmacy services. Additionally, 48 planning grants totaling more than $3.8 million will be distributed to organizations in areas that do not have health centers to help them develop new service delivery sites. New health center sites must meet federal requirements for governance, community involvement, quality of care and financial feasibility.

Idaho Grantees receiving Expanded Behavioral Health Grant Awards include Valley Family Health Care, Payette Idaho and Health West, Inc., Pocatello, Idaho. Receiving an Expanded Enabling Services Grant Award is Valley Family Health Care. Recipients of Expanded Oral Health Grant Awards are Valley Family Health Care and Family Health Services of Twin Falls, Idaho. A complete list of Grant Awards is available online.