NJPCA Member Health Centers Recognized by HRSA with Quality Awards

TRENTON, NJ | by Staff Report | August 22, 2019

Original article can be found at: https://www.insidernj.com

NJPCA Member Health Centers Recognized by HRSA with Quality Awards

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $1,674,121 in Quality Improvement Awards to 20 NJPCA member Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in New Jersey. Health centers will use these funds to build upon their 2018 achievements to address health priorities. The funding will allow Centers to continue to improve cost-efficient care;  increase quality; reduce health disparities; increase both the number of patients served and access to services; advance the use of health information technology; and deliver patient-centered care.

“NJPCA congratulates the 20 NJPCA member Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in New Jersey who received Quality funding awards. FQHCs, also known as Community Health Centers, provide high quality, cost efficient care to New Jerseyans in every county of our state. These awards symbolize Community Health Centers’ longstanding commitment to the over half a million patients they serve.” said Jillian Hudspeth, President and CEO of New Jersey Primary Care Association.

Total Funding to NJPCA members: 20 awards totaling $1,674,121:

• Access Enhancers:6 health centers received awards totaling $65,000;
• Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality:14 health centers received awards totaling $73,000;
• Clinical Quality Improvers:9 health centers received awards totaling $224,450;
• Health Center Quality Leaders:8 health centers received awards totaling $325,171;
• Health Disparities Reducers:6 health centers received awards totaling $206,500;
• Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition:17 health centers received awards  totaling $730,000; and
• Value Enhancers:2 health centers received awards totaling $50,000.

“Community Health Centers are on the front lines addressing healthcare challenges every day. It is an honor to see that so many Health Centers in New Jersey are receiving recognition for their efforts to address these challenges, while increasing access to comprehensive services. We are proud to be recognized as national leaders for the second year in a row for advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) and achieving Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition.” said Jillian Hudspeth.

The 20 NJPCA member Federally Qualified Health Centers who received funding in New Jersey include:

AtlantiCare Health Services;

CAMcare Health Corporation;

Center for Health Education, Medicine & Dentistry;

CompleteCare Health Network;

Eric B. Chandler Health Center;

Henry J. Austin Health Center;

Horizon Health Center;

Jewish Renaissance Foundation, Inc.;

Jewish Renaissance Medical Center;

Metropolitan Family Health Network;

Monmouth Family Health Center;

Neighborhood Health Services;

Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.;

North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center;

Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc.;

Project H.O.P.E., Inc.;

Rutgers Community Health Center;

Saint James Health, Inc.;

Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers, Inc.; and

Zufall Health Center.

Eight New Jersey Federally Qualified Health Centers received Quality Leader awards. Health Center Quality Leaders were among the top 30 percent of all HRSA-supported health centers that achieved the best overall clinical outcomes, demonstrating high-quality across their clinical  operations. Benchmarks were determined by mathematically adjusting for certain health center characteristics facilitating comparisons across health centers, and sorting health centers into quartiles for each clinical quality measure.

New Jersey Quality Leaders include:

AtlantiCare Health Services; Eric B. Chandler Health Center; Horizon Health Center/Alliance Community Healthcare; Jewish Renaissance Foundation, Inc.; Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.; Ocean Health Initiatives; Rutgers Community Health Center; and Zufall Health Center.

Nearly $107 million in Quality Improvement grants was awarded to 1,273 community  health centers across all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia. For a list of FY 2019 Quality Improvement Awards recipients, click here.

About the New Jersey Primary Care Association

The New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) is an advocate for Community Health Centers as well as a provider of comprehensive education, training, and technical assistance to Health Centers in New Jersey. NJPCA represents 23 Federally Qualified Health Centers in New Jersey, one of which is a look-alike and 133 satellite sites providing healthcare services to 559,653 people in New Jersey. For more information about NJPCA, please visit njpca.org.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), also known as Community Health Centers, are in every state across the nation. FQHCs are authorized under Section 330(A) of the Public Health Services Act to provide healthcare to the medically underserved. Many Community Health Centers and their sites are specially designated to serve the needs of special populations including homeless populations, public housing residents, migrant and seasonal farm workers, veterans and school-aged children. For more information about the HRSA Health Center Program, please visit bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.