Community Health Center, Inc.’s (CHC’s) Center for Key Populations (CKP) unveiled its new mobile health unit on Sunday, March 19 at Clinton Farms in Westbrook. The mobile health unit will expand access to care to undeserved communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts and was made possible through grant funding by the Connecticut River Valley Farmworker Health Program (CRVFHP), a valley-wide program of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.
CKP was awarded $185,000 by the CRVFHP to purchase and outfit the mobile health unit which will serve migratory and seasonal agricultural workers at 36 farms along the Connecticut River Valley. The mobile health unit will operate on a flexible schedule and offer comprehensive medical and behavioral services, health education, outreach and acute care. A weekly schedule will be posted to CKP’s website. Appointments are available but not required and may be made by calling (860) 347-6971 ext. 3900.
“CHC is committed to creating health equity and access for our patients,” said Center for Key Populations Director Kasey Harding. “The mobile health unit gives us the opportunity to truly meet patients where they are, to learn from the lessons of COVID and go into communities that can’t get to us and provide the same exceptional healthcare that we do at our main sites. Where patients live or work should not determine the opportunities they have to get healthcare that can improve their health and quality of life. This mobile health unit transforms healthcare for patients who may have previously lacked access – and we are so grateful for the chance to serve patients in this innovative way.”
Elias, a Clinton Farms farmworker and the first patient served by the mobile health unit, said: “This is beautiful. It feels like I am in a clinic building but I can walk out my door and get to it. My doctor is kind and makes everything so easy for me. I feel healthy. I feel good today. I am happy to be the first ever.”
CKP brings under one roof primary and specialty care and advocacy for key populations who have traditionally experienced barriers to care secondary to stigma and discrimination. Embedded within CHC, CKP offers HIV primary care and testing, Hepatitis C screening and treatment, Medication-Assisted Treatment for substance-use disorders, healthcare for the homeless, LGB-focused and Transgender healthcare, and other health-related services.
The mobile health unit will visit Sbona Tower at 50 Broad St. in Middletown every Tuesday from 10 AM to 4PM.
To learn more about the mobile health unit, contact Kasey Harding at hardink@chc1.com.