2001.11.01:HHS Awards $10 Million in Emergency Grants to New York, New Jersey Community Health Centers

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Nov. 1, 2001

Contact:

HRSA Press Office
(301) 443-3376

HHS Awards $10 Million in Emergency Grants
to New York, New Jersey Community Health Centers

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the emergency awarding of $10 million to 33 New York City and northern New Jersey health centers to support services provided in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

"Following the attacks, community health centers stepped up to the plate to meet the needs of area residents," Secretary Thompson said. "Some sent doctors and other staff members to the disaster site, while others provided mental health and clinical services to people in need. This additional grant will help these centers continue to provide essential health services when they are needed, for as long as they are needed."

The emergency awards are part of the $5.1 billion in disaster-related funds released by President Bush on Sept. 21 and are designed to support the response-related costs borne by area community health centers.

Community health centers normally provide care to thousands of residents who would not otherwise have access to health services. Following the attacks, area centers saw substantially higher demand for their health care services, and the increased demand is expected to continue in the coming months, especially for grief counseling and other mental health services. Two centers near the World Trade Center had their operations briefly interrupted following the attacks. Others sent staff members to assist at area hospitals and the disaster site.

HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration oversees the community health centers program. The list of recipients is available at www.hrsa.gov/newsroom/releases/2001%20Releases/nycchcgrants.htm

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.