The Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) has awarded Community Health Northwest Florida (CHNWF) a $1-million grant to provide care for people released from incarceration to support their healthy return to the community.
- HRSA is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that plays a crucial role in improving access to healthcare for underserved and vulnerable populations. The CHNWF grant is part of the $52 million recently awarded to 54 health centers nationwide. The funding allows health centers to provide pre-release care to incarcerated individuals who are expected to be released within 90 days
“People re-entering the community from incarceration are particularly vulnerable to poor health outcomes,” says CHNWF CEO Chandra Smiley. “With this grant, we will be able to provide those services to better support their successful and healthy reentry to our community.”
According to HRSA, research shows that individuals released from prison face an opioid overdose risk up to ten times higher than the general public. By focusing on substance use disorder treatment and overdose prevention, this initiative aims to significantly reduce this risk and improve long-term health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
- Through the grant and its partnership with the Escambia County Jail, CHNWF is positioned to support justice-involved individuals as they navigate their release from prison, help them overcome potential barriers, and ensure continuity of care as they rejoin their community.
In addition to healthcare services, CHNWF is required to provide case management services and collaborate with community partners to tackle health-related social issues such as
- Housing and food insecurity
- Financial strain
- Transportation barriers
- Intimate partner violence
Since 1992, Community Health Northwest Florida has served residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and surrounding areas. Since 2007, it has been the area’s only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) as designated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). For more information, visit healthcarewithinreach.org.
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