Health center program - due to persistent health disparities and lack of access to care sufficient to meet need, garfield health center (GHC) is proposing to address its look-alike scope of project…

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded Garfield Health Center $650,000 on August 1, 2026, under the Health Center Program (CFDA 93.224) to establish a new access point serving low-income communities in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles, California.

Garfield Health Center, a HRSA-designated look-alike health center founded in 2004, will use the funding to expand primary care services across 25 ZIP codes in the San Gabriel Valley. The service area encompasses 1,265,937 residents, of whom 564,644 are classified as low-income and living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The recipient will focus service delivery on Asian and Latino populations experiencing significant health disparities, including elevated rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity, pre-term birth and low birth weight, chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis, mental health challenges, and COVID-19 impacts. Social determinants of health in the service area—including poverty, language and transportation barriers, food insecurity, inadequate housing, and environmental challenges—compound these conditions. Approximately 50.65 percent of residents under 200 percent FPL in the service area do not currently utilize primary care services.

The award runs from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. Place of performance is Monterey Park, California. Garfield Health Center's application sought recognition and funding as a federally qualified health center (FQHC) community health center provider to address persistent access gaps and health disparities in this medically underserved area.

Health center program - due to persistent health disparities and lack of access to care sufficient to meet need, garfield health center (GHC) is proposing to address its look-alike scope of project for this new access point (NAP). GHC was founded in 2004 in response to a lack of bicultural and bilingual primary health care services for the low-income, primarily asian communities in the SAN gabriel valley of urban LOS angeles (LA), california. In 2012, GHC received federally qualified health center look-alike status. GHC's proposed service area covers 25 ZIP codes across the SAN gabriel valley, home to 1,265,937 residents. Of these, 564,644 are classified as low-income, highlighting a significant need for targeted support. The service area has multiple federally designated medically underserved areas/populations. GHC's proposed project will serve the general community of low-income individuals and families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) within this area, with a primary focus on asian and latino populations. GHC is applying for recognition and funding as an fqhc CHC provider. The target population in GHC's proposed service area suffers significant health disparities and comprises some of the highest-need and most difficult to reach patients in LA county. Persistent poor health conditions in the service area include high rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity, pre-term birth and low birth weight, chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis, high frequency of adverse childhood experiences, prevalent mental health challenges, and impacts from covid-19. Poverty; poor health literacy; cultural, language and transportation barriers; food insecurity; low educational levels; unaffordable and/or crowded housing; and pollution and environmental challenges are among the social determinants of health (sdoh) contributing to health challenges. Of all service area residents living under 200 percent FPL, 50.65 percent are not utilizing services at a primary care clinic. The proposed project will address this high need by continuing services with the goal of increasing healthcare access, improving health outcomes, and reducing health disparities. GHC emphasizes services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, high quality, and comprehensive, with staff who share patient languages, culture and lived experience. Under the proposed NAP, GHC will provide primary medical care; screenings; family planning; immunizations; well child services; gynecological, prenatal and postpartum care; laboratory; mental health/SUD services; oral health services; complementary/alternative medicine; vision; and enabling/supportive services. GHC provides enabling services to overcome barriers to access and address sdoh including translation, benefits enrollment, outreach, case management, housing navigation, health education, and transportation. GHC has a network of collaborative partners to provide access to any services not available through GHC (e.g. hospitals and LA county department of public health for specialized care and social service organizations to provide additional community and social support services). GHC's proposed NAP will include its current seven distinct service delivery sites located in the cities of monterey park, rosemead and rowland heights, california: 210 n. Garfield avenue suite 203, monterey park, CA 91754; 701 s atlantic blvd. Suites 100, 200 and 202, monterey park, CA 91754; 7740 garvey AVE suite B100-B102, rosemead, CA 91770; and 19138 e walnut DR n, suites 101, 202, rowland heights, CA 91748. GHC has three administrative sites located at: 10454 valley blvd., EL monte, CA 91731; 19138 e walnut DR. N., STE. 103, rowland heights, CA 91748; and 701 s atlantic blvd., STE, 300, monterey park, CA 91754. In 2026, GHC proposes to serve 17,866 unduplicated patients through 101,898 visits.