Fiscal year 2025 expanded hours. - community health center of fort dodge, INC. 126 N. 10TH ST, fort dodge, IA 50501 H80CS06667 the community health center of fort dodge (CHCFD), a 330(E) community…

Fiscal year 2025 expanded hours. - community health center of fort dodge, INC. 126 N. 10TH ST, fort dodge, IA 50501 H80CS06667 the community health center of fort dodge (CHCFD), a 330(E) community health center, began operations on april 17, 2006, following initial CHC funding received in february 2006. Serving webster, wright, and cerro gordo counties in north-central iowa, CHCFD targets residents living below 200% of the federal poverty level (27,830 individuals). The target population includes 87.5% white (24,338) and 4.2% black/african american (1,173). Hispanics comprise 15.1% (4,198) of people in the service area's target population. CHCFD operates five delivery sites: the community health center of fort dodge and the community health center of dayton in webster county, the community health center of eagle grove and the community health center of clarion in wright county, and the community health center of mason city in cerro gordo county. In 2023, CHCFD served 12,705 patients through 42,800 visits. Services offered encompass general primary medical care, diagnostic laboratory and radiology, screenings, emergency coverage, family planning, immunizations, well-child services, gynecological care, dental, mental health, substance abuse, pharmaceutical services, environmental health, occupational therapy, nutrition, case management, eligibility assistance, health education, outreach, transportation, and translation. The service area faces significant healthcare challenges, being designated health professional shortage areas for mental health in all three counties, with webster and wright counties also classified as medically underserved areas. Webster county's 2022 suicide rate was 49.1, far surpassing the iowa rate of 18.2 and the healthy people 2030 goal of 12.8. The counties also exceed iowa averages in alcohol-impaired driving deaths, frequent mental distress, adult smoking, physical inactivity, and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. Heart disease is the leading C ause of death in the service area, with rates for most leading causes of death exceeding iowa averages, excluding alzheimer's disease and kidney disease. Many residents work long hours in factories or animal processing plants, hindering access to appointments during normal business hours. To address these needs, CHCFD proposes to extend operating hours monday through friday from 5PM to 8PM, to provide urgent acute care, mental health medication management, therapy, and primary care services. The center plans to hire 1.0 FTE psychiatric nurse practitioner, 1.0 FTE therapist, 1.0 FTE nurse practitioner, 1.0 FTE licensed practical nurse, and 1.0 FTE front office staff to fulfill these services. All services will be available to children and adults with incomes below 200% of the poverty level. The proposed project aims to increase mental health service recipients by 400 and primary care recipients by 700, totaling 1,100 patients receiving medical and behavioral health care after hours. Of these 1,100, 500 would be new unduplicated patients.