WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced a grant in the amount of $430,738 from the Department of Health and Human Services for Community Health Center, Inc. of Middletown. The funding will aid the Community Health Center in providing early intervention services with respect to HIV disease.

"HIV-positive patients do not always seek the care they need for many reasons," said DeLauro. "This grant will allow Community Health Center, Inc. to reach out to these patients with critical comprehensive primary care."

Community Health Center, Inc. provides confidential care to HIV patients, allowing them to see the same doctors they normally would. CHC offers comprehensive primary care, including medical, dental care, HIV-specialty care, mental health services, nutrition, medication adherence, and access to HIV counseling and testing. According to the center, nearly 1/3 of the population who may know they are HIV positive, are not seeking care for multiple reasons.

“We are excited and pleased to receive this funding to continue providing comprehensive HIV medical care,” said Yvette Francis, director of HIV services for CHC. “This program has been the anchor of our HIV services which range from outreach and education to medical, mental health and the full range of supportive services including a drop-in center.”

Community Health Centers have been the critical source of health care for the poor, underserved, vulnerable populations at risk for poor health status in many communities throughout the state for almost thirty years. They offer a wide range of high quality preventive and primary care services, including pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric health care, prenatal and postpartum and depending on the availability of resources, many offer dental care, addiction services, and mental health, social services and outreach programs.

Community Health Center, Inc. has 14 sites throughout the state including school-based health centers, with facilities in Middletown, New Britain, Meriden, Clinton, New London, Old Saybrook, and Groton.