Congressionally Directed Spending for Construction Projects - Project Abstract (4000 characters or less): The Waimanalo Health Center (WHC) WHC is a community-based non-profit 501(c)3 corporation incorporated in 1989 and located in Waimanalo on the windward side of the island of O`ahu. As its mission states, “Waimanalo Health Center is rooted in Native Hawaiian values and devoted to improving the health and wellness of all people, regardless of ability to pay, by providing comprehensive primary and preventive health care services of the highest quality.” WHC became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in 1994. The Waimanalo Health Center offers a wide range of services including but not limited to: • Dental care – Routine and preventive screening along with emergency dental care are provided by dentists and a dental hygienist. • Vision services – An optometrist provides comprehensive eye exams, optical dispensing, preventive vision care and treatment of eye diseases. • Nutrition services – Medical nutrition therapy is provided by registered dietitians. Preventive health classes include cooking demonstrations, gardening, grocery store tours and weight management. WIC services are also available for families which include breastfeeding support and education. WHC also sponsors markets with local produce. • Native Hawaiian healing – Through the Ma‘iola department, lomilomi and la‘au lapa‘au services are provided to patients in primary care. Plants for these services and a Hanai A Plant program are grown and harvested from the Mala Ho‘ola, a 6,905 square foot cultural healing garden with over 400 plants. • Outreach and eligibility – Outreach and eligibility workers help reduce barriers to care and assist patients with health insurance eligibility, rental assistance and transportation. • Youth Services – Ku I Ka Mana provides an environment for youth to learn about themselves, build character, stay in school, graduate high schools, and move on to post secondary education. Waimanalo Health Center has been recognized as a Patient Centered Medical Home since 2016 and recognized with distinction in Behavioral Health Integration since 2021. In addition, WHC has also been recognized by Papa Ola Lokahi (responsible for the execution of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act) as meeting all 4 statutory criteria of a Native Hawaiian Health Center facility. With the congressional support, WHC plans to enhance its Patient-Centered Health Care Home (PCHCH) approach to providing comprehensive health services to the underserved population of Waimanalo through services expansion. The proposed project would support increased access and enable WHC to enhance its provision of its comprehensive health services. Waimanalo Health Center (WHC) plans to enhance its capacity to address the health needs of the underserved community of Waimanalo and throughout Ko?olaupoko by expanding services to the community. The proposed project would support increased access and enable WHC to increase the provision of comprehensive health services. Funding will support the construction of a new expansion facility to address oral health, vision and nutritional needs of the community. With the successful completion of WHC?s first medical expansion facility in 2019, which WHC raised $13,000,000 to construct, the WHC plans to construct another expansion facility located on the site vacated by its medical services. With services thriving, WHC can address additional needs that will better utilize the existing space to serve the community, continue successful integration of services, improve efficiencies to address barriers to care, etc.
