Community Development and Research
Community Development is the collaborative, collective action taken by communities to enhance their long-term social, economic, and environmental conditions. The primary goal of community development is to create a better overall quality of life for everyone in the community. CHCAMS’s assists communities in the establishment and development of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which are health centers that provide primary care in medically underserved areas.
Common Questions
What Does The Term “Health Center” Mean?
“Health Center” refers to organizations that receive grants under the Health Center Program as authorized under Section 330 of Public Health Service Act, as amended, and FQHC Look-Alike organizations, which meet all the Health Center Program requirements but do not receive Health Center Program grants. Health Centers provide comprehensive primary and preventive care to Medically Underserved Populations/Areas.
Who Administers the Health Center Program?
The Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), administers the Health Center Program and provides ongoing oversight of Health Center Program grantees and FQHC Look-Alikes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) certifies FQHC Look-Alikes, based on recommendations provided by HRSA/BPHC.
What Does the Term “Federally Qualified Health Center” Mean?
Medicare and Medicaid statutes define the provider type “Federally Qualified Health Center” (FQHC) (Social Security Act §1861(aa)(4) and §1905(l)(2)(B) respectively). The term FQHC is used by CMS to indicate that an organization is approved to be reimbursed under Medicare and Medicaid using specific methodologies for FQHCs.
Community Development Resources
There are a number of resources that provide detailed information on what it means to be a Community Health Center (CHC). The documents listed below should be reviewed to learn more about the requirements of the CHC model.
- So You Want to Start a Health Center: A Practical Guide for Starting a CHC, developed by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).
- Successful Practices in Community Development for Health Centers: a guide developed by NACHC to provide suggestions on how to proceed with a community interested in starting a health center.
- Funded! Now What?: A guide for newly funded CHCs from NACHC.
- The BPHC Newly Funded TA Web Guide Resources for New and Existing Grantees
Program Information Notices (PINs) and Program Assistance Letters (PALs)
- Complete chronological list of PINs and PALs.
- Search by Topic, Sub-topic, or Keyword Health Center Public Acts and Regulatory Documents:
- 19 Health Center Program Requirements and PCA Site Visit Guide
- Office of Management and Budget Guidance for Grants and Agreements – 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)
- Section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), as amended
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, Part 51c, Grants for Community Health Services
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, Part 56, Grants for Migrant Health Services and Centers
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45, Part 74, Grant Award Requirements
- Consolidated Health Center Act of 1996 (Section 330 Legislation)
- Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002 FQHC Look-Alike Program
- Health Center Program Look-Alikes – Interested in becoming a Health Center Look-Alike?
- Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike Program Overview and Initial Designation Application Process (ppt presentation)
For more information, contact Mr. Joseph Grice, Director of Technical Assistance & Training at 601-981-1817 or jgrice@CHCAMS.com.
