Tuesday, April 29, 2025
4/29/2025
Congressionally Directed Spending for Construction Projects - Project Abstract and Narrative for Congresswoman Kuster’s Congressionally Directed Spending Request for FY23 - $450,000 Brief description of proposed project including the needs to be addressed, proposed services, and population groups to be served. HealthFirst Family Care Center will focus the use of CDS funding on the renovation and expansion of our 841 Central Street, Franklin, NH health center. The Franklin health center, approximately 7,500 square feet, serves over 3,500 unique patients per year which total over 15,000 visits. Overall, the current health care facility in Franklin is too small, is severely outdated, and needs significant repairs. Working with WarrenStreet Architects, HealthFirst is developing various construction scenarios to renovate and expand the facility which will provide adequate space needed for safe, comfortable, & quality patient care. This renovation and expansion will allow for our continued expansion and growth, enabling us to increase the number of patients served, by providing additional provider and patient exam spaces. The plan is to extensively renovate the interior of the current facility and add several thousand square feet of new construction to expand and connect to an adjacent building. HealthFirst will use the congressionally directed funding to renovate and expand the facility by adding a new medical provider pods, which will include 3 new exam rooms. This facility is owned HealthFirst and funding for the facility upgrades and expansion will provide space to accommodate additional full-time primary care providers, medical assistants, and support staff. The renovation will provide new Behavioral Health counseling and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) patient space. It will incorporate a new entry point and waiting room for patients, new patient restrooms, staff kitchen, and a newly constructed 2,500 square foot addition to our existing building and a connector to a second administrative building owned by HealthFirst. One specific focus of these CDS funds will be the heating and cooling properties of the existing health center and new construction as its existing HVAC system is severely aged. The current HVAC system is failing, providing poor cooling in the summer and even worse heating in the winter, and it is extremely inefficient. So, a great need during renovation and expansion will be the weatherization of the entire building, this will include enhancements or replacements being made to the heating and cooling system of the building. HealthFirst will continue to offer primary care, behavioral health, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programming for the Franklin region. Serving the lower-to-moderate income families is so critically needed, it will ensure that every family will have access to high-quality care regardless of their situation or ability to pay. Funding to accommodate HealthFirst’s growing health center needs will allow us to serve more individuals in Franklin NH and will be an asset to the community.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).