Health center program - the clover fork outpatient medical project (clover fork) is non-profit health care provider serving harlan county kentucky

The Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $650,000 to Clover Fork Outpatient Medical Project Inc. on August 1, 2026, under the Health Center Program (CFDA 93.224). The award funds a New Access Point project that expands Clover Fork's operational footprint in Harlan County, Kentucky by adding one mobile clinic site to complement the organization's existing two community-based facilities in Evarts and Harlan, one mobile clinic, and eight school-based health sites.

Clover Fork is a not-for-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike established in 1970 that provides primary care, preventive medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income and medically underserved populations. The organization targets residents of Harlan County with incomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, representing 59 percent of the county's 27,548-person population. Harlan County ranks 116 out of 120 Kentucky counties for health outcomes, with chronic illness rates significantly exceeding national averages.

Performance occurs in Evarts, Kentucky, with period of performance from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. The Health Center Program funds health centers to improve access to comprehensive, high-quality primary health care services in medically underserved communities and populations under Section 330(e) of the Public Health Service Act.

Clover fork opened in 1970 through funding provided by the appalachian regional commission. Initially operating out of a renovated trailer, in 1977 clover fork moved into their 9,000 square foot facility in evarts kentucky. In 2004, clover fork opened a satellite clinic in harlan kentucky. Clover fork is applying to receive new access point funding to support their mission to provide high quality comprehensive health care to their patients. Clover fork operates two community-based facilities: 101 chad street evarts, KY and 209 e. Mound street harlan kentucky, one mobile clinic, and seven (8) school based health sites. Clover fork operates on the belief that physical health is closely related to the economic, social and environmental well-being, and that patients must be treated with all of these needs in mind. This NAP project will add another mobile site to scope of project. Clover fork serves harlan county, which is located in the appalachian mountains in the heart of the first rural promise zone. Harlan county has a population of 27,548. The terrain is mountainous and difficult to navigate particularly in inclement weather. Harlan county is one of the least healthy counties in the state and is ranked 116 out of the 120 kentucky counties for health outcomes by county health rankings. Nearly a third of the population (29%) has poor or fair health, and rates of chronic illness such as diabetes and heart disease are significantly higher than national rates. Clover fork's target population is those community residents with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (59% of the population). As an established health care provider serving the low-income population, clover fork is seeking to expand services through the new access point opportunity. Clover fork currently offers primary care services across the lifespan to preventive care, the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illness, emergency care, labs and health education. The new access point sites will employ 46.0 FTE staff across all professional and support services. In addition to primary care, clover fork offers preventive, restorative, maintenance, and emergency dental services and has 1.0 FTE doctor of dentistry on staff. Clover fork also operates a pharmacy in order to make multiple services available in a single location and employs a 1.0 FTE pharmacist. We will expand services to include behavioral health with new access point funds and hire a 1.0 FTE lcsw to advance our efforts toward integrated care. In 2026, clover fork anticipates serving 5,363 patients in 21,109 visits including medical visits, dental visits, behavioral health visits and enabling services. We will continue to offer 340B pharmacy services as well. Under this NAP project we will open a new mobile unit #2 site to provide medical and dental services. This site will be operational by august 2025. The new access point funding will help US to best serve the high need, low-income population in our defined service are in evarts and harlan located in harlan county, KY.