Health center program - the metrohealth community health centers (mhchc, LALCS33699) proposes two new sites through the hrsa-25-085 new access points opportunity

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded The Metrohealth System $1.3 million on August 1, 2026, under the Health Center Program (CFDA 93.224) to expand primary healthcare access in underserved communities of Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

The award funds two new health center sites under the HRSA-25-085 New Access Points opportunity, enabling the Metrohealth Community Health Centers to serve an projected 53,111 unduplicated patients in calendar year 2026. The recipient will deliver comprehensive, patient-centered primary care through permanent sites, portable clinics, and mobile services across Cuyahoga County, with priority focus on homeless and justice-involved populations. The funding includes Section 330(e) and 330(h) support (homeless population funding).

Metrohealth, a county hospital entity and federally qualified health center look-alike designated in February 2020, operates as the essential public hospital system serving the general underserved communities of Cuyahoga County, principally the City of Cleveland and its suburbs. The award period runs August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, with place of performance in Ohio.

Across all our sites, mhchc projects to serve 53,111 unduplicated patients in CY2026 with requested 330E and 330H support. Organizational history: the metrohealth system (MHS) is the essential public hospital system in cuyahoga county. Given the goals of MHS and alignment with the tenets of hrsa's health center program, the mhchc was formed to address community needs and health equity in partnership with a patient-led CO-applicant community board. Look-alike designation was awarded in february 2020. In november 2023, the MHS and mhchc board added new sites to increase access and deliver comprehensive care for the most vulnerable areas of cuyahoga county. Communities served: the mhchc serves the general underserved communities of cuyahoga county, principally the city of cleveland and its suburbs. Through this opportunity, the mhchc will prioritize the homeless and justice populations and seeks 330E and 330H funding. Addressing healthcare needs and barriers: the mhchc meets community needs by providing high-quality, patient-centered care in underserved areas, through permanent sites, portable clinics, and mobile services. Despite efforts, cleveland remains among the poorest major U.S. Cities, with severe poverty rates and high infant mortality and preterm birth rates. The city faces significant issues with community trauma, violence, and opioid use, making behavioral health a top unmet need. Additionally, 70% of individuals at the cuyahoga correctional facility have mental illness. Cuyahoga county reports about 34,100 crimes annually, with 7,600 being violent. Cleveland alone averages 22,200 crimes, including 6,100 violent offenses. Around 23,000 people experience homelessness in the county each year, with rising rates in cleveland. Current sites and services: as of march 2024, the mhchc operates four primary care clinics, one dental clinic, one in-school health clinic, portable care at local schools, a mobile clinic program targeting the homeless and transient, and two partner clinics. We focus on preventive care across all ages, chronic care management, health education, and specialty care. Our dental services cover preventive, routine, and emergency needs. Direct services include OB/GYN, nutrition, and behavioral health. Community health workers play a key role in screening, addressing social health factors, enrolling patients in insurance programs, and managing care plans. Patients are connected to specialty and hospital services through our partner, metrohealth system, using the shared EMR epic. Proposed project: the mhchc proposes to add two sites to enhance access and care coordination for the homeless and justice populations of cuyahoga county and to expand mental health and substance use disorder services. At our main campus (2500 metrohealth drive, cleveland, OH 44109), currently an administrative-only site, we will add clinical care to serve our homeless patients, as well as adding a dental van for mobile care at local homeless shelters and drop-in centers. We will add a clinical care site at 4269 pearl road, cleveland, OH 44109. Currently an addiction and mental health treatment center, we will integrate primary and behavioral health care under the mhchc to add medical services and increase our substance use and mental health staff and services across all our mhchc locations. Services will be available at our existing 5B sites, including the cuyahoga county corrections center, to manage clinical care and transitions upon release. Fqhc-required services will be provided at all sites and consistent with form 5A. In total, we project serving 9,070 new patients in 2026 specifically through the NAP project.