Monday, May 12, 2025
5/12/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Non-Construction - or over 100 years, Pillars Community Health (PCH) has provided innovative behavioral health, health care, educational, and social services in western Cook County, IL. PCH is a HRSA funded Federally Qualified Health Center (Community Health Center and Healthcare for the Homeless) and an Illinois licensed and CARF accredited Community Mental Health Center and Substance use Disorder SUPR provider. As we have addressed the needs for physical, behavioral health, and social services during the coronavirus pandemic we quickly pivoted to provide in-person care, telehealth and other virtual services. The positive reception to these services demonstrates the importance of multiple service delivery methods to help increase access to services and engagement across all of our service lines, including medical, behavioral health, psychiatry, dental and Domestic & Sexual violence services. However, our target population which includes low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families, as well as those experiencing homelessness, often from racial and ethnic groups experiencing barriers to care, are in danger of being left out of these virtual connections. The cost of technology and regular connectivity can be a barrier to care, as well as lack of secure and confidential living space to engage with a provider. To address this need, Pillars Community Health is constructing Telehealth Suites at current and new PCH locations. Each site will accommodate 1-3 suites, configured as private space for patients to access telehealth visits with our medical, dental, and behavioral health providers, and provide access for virtual specialty care consult at the location that is most convenient for them. Congressionally Directed Spending funds of $345,000 will be utilized for supplies and equipment necessary to support increased bandwidth utilization in provision of telehealth services across all Pillars Community Health service lines and location. Federal funding will enable Pillars Community Health to provide more robust telehealth services, promote physical distancing when necessary for the health and safety of patients and staff, reduce barriers to care and offer consistent methods to connect to services for those who prefer and have benefitted from virtual care.
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).