Fair Haven Community Health Center was recently honored by HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), the federal regulatory agency for all FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers), with several prestigious awards. Based on 2015 clinical metrics, FHCHC received a National Quality Leadership award and a High Value Health Center award, two of the most critical measures of community health success, as measured by HRSA. A recent arrival to Trolley Square in East Haven, FHCHC is proud to bring its nationally-recognized health care to the East Haven Community.

National Quality Leader awards were given to health centers which “exceeded national clinical quality benchmarks, including Healthy People 2020 goals, for chronic disease management, preventive care, and perinatal/prenatal care.” Only 5% of the country’s more than 1375 health centers received this award. High Value Health Center awards were given to health centers which “delivered better, smarter, healthier care by improving cost efficient care delivery compared to the national average, while also increasing quality of care and improving access to comprehensive services.” Only 14% of the country’s health centers received this award. Of the 15 health centers in CT, FHCHC was the sole recipient of this honor.

“I am so proud of our clinical teams,” said Dr. Suzanne Lagarde, Chief Executive Officer of FHCHC. “They should all feel very proud of the high quality care they provide to our patients day in and day out. That FHCHC was the sole CT recipient to receive the High Value Health Center award is a true testament to their dedication and expertise.”

Overall, Fair Haven Community Health Center was recognized for exceeding performance standards in six out of eight areas. This was the highest number of awards received by a single health center of the 15 in the state of Connecticut. FHCHC received awards in the following areas: Clinical Quality Improver, Health Center Quality Leader, National Quality Leader, Access Enhancer, High Value Health Center, and Patient-Centered Medical Home.

These awards validate the care and systems required of FQHCs by the federal government. “Health centers are evaluated on a set of performance measures emphasizing health outcomes and the value of care delivered,” said HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae. “These measures provide a balanced, comprehensive look at services to manage conditions among the vulnerable populations served by health centers.”

Fair Haven Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center (“FQHC”) established in 1971 in New Haven, CT by local activists. A nationally recognized leader in addressing health disparities in an urban community, FHCHC offers high quality, comprehensive health care to medically underserved and uninsured families. FHCHC serves over 16,000 patients in more than 60,000 appointments annually, at its New Haven and East Haven, CT locations. More than 60 medical providers assure that patients have high quality care (prenatal through geriatric). FHCHC provides a full spectrum of primary medical care, behavioral health services, wellness support, and dentistry. Of the fifteen (15) health centers in Connecticut that are members of the Community Healthcare Association of Connecticut (CHCACT), the State’s primary care association, Fair Haven Community Health Center is the only one currently recognized as a “patient centered medical home” by both The Joint Commission and by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Details about the awards can be found here: http://bphc.hrsa.gov/programopportunities/fundingopportunities/qualityimprovement/index.html