Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Health Center Program - New River Community Health Center (NRCHC) operates as a 330 funded public entity FQHC with the Florida Department of Health. Its commitment is to provide access to comprehensive primary care and implement programs to reduce the health disparities in Union and Bradford Counties, both of which are in north-central Florida. New River Community Health Center (NRCHC) began in 2012 in Lake Butler, FL as a cooperative effort between a community group committed to access to health care (the NRCHC Board) and the Union County Health Department. In 2013, at the urging of the Board, NRCHC expanded its scope to include Bradford County. Currently the center operates out of two locations: 1. Lake Butler (Union County) and 2. Starke (Bradford County). Both locations are located within Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) for primary care, dental health, and mental health services. The center serves as the primary medical home for the low-income communities (designated as Opportunity Zones by the IRS) and uninsured / underinsured residents of Union and Bradford Counties. The service area of NRCHC is the entirety of Union and Bradford Counties, encompassing eight Zip Code Tabulation Areas (32066,32044,32058,32091,32622,32054,32083,32656) and 540 square miles. Union and Bradford County are contiguous and share many of the same resources and services. Except for the county seats (Lake Butler/Union County and Starke/Bradford County), the area is rural, with small named communities that are isolated and only accessible by motor vehicle. This isolation is a major contributing factor to poor health outcomes and health inequities in the New River service area. The 2022 population for Bradford & Union counties is estimated at 43,477.00 (FL CHARTS). Population and economic growth have been stagnant. Core barriers to primary care include shortage of primary care physicians, percent of individuals below 200% FPL (19.1% Bradford County; 22.7% Union County; State average 13.2%) and percent of uninsured individuals. Additionally, lower education levels compared to the state, and transportation disparities (especially for Medicaid/uninsured residents) create barriers to care. Since inception, NRCHC has immediately addressed the needs of the population in these rural areas. The services provided at NRCHC are accessible to all patients regardless of income level or ability to pay. Services are targeted to vulnerable populations and are provided by culturally competent professional staff that are committed to clinical excellence and client satisfaction. The center has been designated as a Patient Centered Medical home in 2017 (Level 2) and continues to arrange a provision of health care services that address barriers to care and improve the health status of the community. Services include integrated primary care, dental, behavioral health, laboratory services, diagnostic radiology, inpatient specialty care through referrals, and case management. In addition, traditional health department services are provided on site including chronic disease prevention and control, nutrition, public health preparedness and response, and a provision of environmental health services. NRCHC is staffed by 2 general practitioners, 2 APRNs, 1 PA, 1 pediatrician, and 2 licensed clinical socials workers. The center expects 6,000 unduplicated patients annually to utilize health center services and is fully equipped with appropriate systems, policies, contracts, and governance to meet the project expectations.
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).