FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              CONTACT: Marie Shekell at 404-657-9118


April 1, 2009

Increased Demand for Services Grant to Enhance Health Care Access for Underserved Georgians

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Community Health’s (DCH) State Office of Rural Health (SORH) received $436,057 in stimulus funding through the Increased Demand for Services (IDS) grant. The IDS grant, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), will expand services at six existing community health center programs that serve 21 counties across Georgia. DCH is one of 28 recipients receiving ARRA IDS funds to support Georgia’s health centers bringing the state’s total award to $6,964,291.

“The IDS grant award to DCH’s State Office of Rural Health acknowledges the continued success of the network of safety net providers that DCH has created through partnerships with local communities,” said Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of DCH. “This grant is a vital financial asset that reiterates the need to expand health care services to meet the increasing demand and to improve the health status of all Georgians.”

The grant funding includes the expansion of the existing federal community health programs including:

• Community health centers

• Migrant health centers

• Health care for the homeless

• Public housing primary care

Funds may be used to expand clinic hours, increase the availability of pharmaceuticals, increase outreach and health education and provide other vital clinic services to Georgia’s underserved people.

“The awarding of the IDS grants allows the State Office of Rural Health to continue its efforts to build a healthier Georgia by empowering communities to strengthen and maintain the best possible health care using existing resources,” said Charles Owens, Executive Director of DCH’s SORH. “The IDS grant will make a significant impact on improving health outcomes, and creating and retaining jobs in these communities.”

The centers funded in Georgia are listed by site and serve a region/multi-county service area. Lead counties are listed first.

Migrant Farmworker Clinic, LLC - $93,989

° Lowndes

° Echols

Colquitt County Board of Health - $79,671

° Colquitt

° Tift

° Cook

° Brooks

Decatur County Board of Health - $147,879

° Decatur

° Seminole

° Grady

° Thomas

° Mitchell

East GA Health Care, Inc. - $30,707

° Tattnall

° Toombs

° Candler

Sumter Regional Hospital, Ellaville Primary Care - $52,841

° Schley

° Crisp

° Sumter

° Macon

° Taylor

South Central Primary Care - $30,970

° Atkinson

° Coffee

To learn more about Stimulus funds that DCH has been granted visit: www.dch.georgia.gov/stimulus.