In December 2009, CHCB received some amazing news. We were selected to be one of only 85 grantees across the country to receive Facility Investment Program funds created especially for Federally Qualified Health Centers. This was the most competitive grant review process we have ever participated in; only one in six applications were funded.
This construction-only federal funding will help us build a new "green" health care facility in the heart of Burlington's Old North End. In turn, this new space will position us, as Chittenden County's only Federally Qualified Health Center, to expand access to our affordable primary and dental care, strengthen community partnerships, enhance health education opportunities, create jobs, and expand care to even more community residents.
Our vision is to create an innovative, comprehensive medical home that will serve as an example to the rest of the country what can be accomplished, within a community that cares deeply about our quality of life and health. We hope you'll join us for this once in a life time construction journey for CHCB, our patients and the Burlington region.
Community Forum Presentation:
The presentation presented at the Aug. 23rd Community Forum can be viewed on the Channel 17 (CCTV) website by clicking here.
You can watch this program on Channel 17/ Town Meeting Television, on Comcast Cable and Burlington Telecom at the following times:
- Thursday August 26, 11:20 PM
- Friday August 27, 4:20 AM
- Friday August 27, 10:20 AM
- Saturday August 28, 2:05 PM
FAQ:
Question:
What is a Facility Investment Program grant?
Answer:
First, let's start with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC's) and why they are so important to our country's health care system and health care reform. Since 1965, FQHC's have grown into our nation's largest safety net system for primary care, now serving over 20 million Americans, renowned for their cost effective, high quality care. The FQHC system enjoys rare bipartisan support on Capital Hill and was awarded additional funding to grow the safety net system that will save health care costs through access to primary care and create desperately needed new jobs.
As with all FQHC funding, it is only available through a competitive grant process. In July 2009, CHCB applied as one of 600 other FQHC's in the country for Facility Investment Funding grants for construction projects. Projects had to be "shovel ready" to create jobs and as importantly, meet community need for access to care and bring in new patients. CHCB's grant application did both and was selected to receive funding. Only one in six applications was funded and our 10.9 million dollar grant was the only one awarded in Vermont. This grant is both an honor and incredible community opportunity for the Burlington region.
Question:
What will the Facility Investment Program grant accomplish?
Answer:
We will build a new facility that will immediately create jobs and increase access to primary and dental care for all community residents for many years to come.
The new building will be located at our main facility site at 617 Riverside Avenue. Remaining at this site is critical; we are located in a medically underserved area in great need of access to our services. In addition, since 43% of our patients come from outside Burlington, especially Winooski and beyond, this location offers easy access at a busy intersection and gateway to Burlington.
Even better, this new building, double the size of our current facility, will serve many more medical, dental and behavioral health patients. This increased access to affordable, quality care is essential for cost effectiveness of our local health care system and quality of life for Vermonters. The new building will also expand services such as physical therapy and have space for other area specialists to offer care. This building and our mission of care will serve as a comprehensive medical and dental home for community residents from all walks of life.
Question:
Why can't you use your current building to expand?
Answer:
We wish we could, but it's not possible or cost effective. Our Building Renewal Project in 2000 did a wonderful job renovating a building that many old time Burlingtonians may remember as the old Vermont Mattress and Furniture Company. But, the old "bones" of the original 75 year old building remain and can't structurally support more expansion. When we had to replace our heating and ventilating unit recently, we were forced to use a metal frame placed next to the building to support it because the old roof was too unstable. And we simply have run out of space; we‘ve converted storage rooms to offices and converted offices to dental operatories, but we can't do any more. Over the past couple of years, we've been able to find some grant funding to rejuvenate spaces that have simply become worn out over the years, but it's just patchwork fixes. Imagine this; since 2000, this building has supported over 400,000 patient visits. This building has been successful beyond our imagination, but our architects and engineers are telling us we need to rebuild from the ground up for the best use of tax and construction dollars.
Question:
What's the building timeline?
Answer:
We'll break ground in September of this year and the first phase will be completed in late spring and the second by late fall or early winter of 2011 with the new building opening by January 2012.
Press Releases/News Coverage:
12/9/2009 - News Just In!
6/16/2010 - CHCB Selects Staff for New Building Construction
7/9/2010 - DRB approves Battery St., Health Center projects (Burlington Free Press)
7/16/2010 - Burlington Health Center Expanding (WCAX)
Please Keep in Touch with Us
As we build this medical home and the CHCB of the future, please remember this is your community health center. We are open to everyone, regardless of their life circumstances, insured or not. This is what health care should be for all of us.
Please join us as we keep our community updated as we create Burlington's best medical and dental home. If you would like to receive regular updates, please continue to visit our website regularly or Find us on Facebook.
Join the Discussion
We've added a Discussion page on Facebook and we would love to here your comments, concerns or questions.
For More Information or Questions Contact:
Jack Donnelly, Executive Director
jdonnelly@chcb.org
(802) 864-6309 ext. 149
Alison Calderara, Director, Community Relations & Development
acladerara@chcb.org
(802) 864-6309 ext. 190
