$8.3 million grant for Health Department

    The Osceola County Health Department has been awarded a Facility Improvement Project grant totaling $8.3 million. As a result of this grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Osceola CHD will expand facilities at two of its Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Kissimmee and St. Cloud; and construct a new two-story building in Poinciana, which has been operating out of modular units since 2005.
   "We are excited about the grant award we have received" stated administrator Belinda Johnson-Cornett. "It will enable us to expand primary care services and provide a medical home to more of the uninsured and others in our county who are in need of medical care. Osceola County Health Department's FQHCs are a major safety net provider within Osceola County. Without our services many would go without healthcare. We are looking forward to working with the county and other community stakeholders to ensure this project is successfully implemented."
    According to the American Community Survey compiled by the Census Bureau, Florida ranks fourth in the nation with 20.9% uninsured. The Orlando-Kissimmee metro area exceeds both the state and the nation, with 21.2% uninsured. Additionally, Osceola County experienced the greatest increase in poverty among children of any Central Florida county, increasing over 6% from 2008 to 2009.
    The Capital Development program grants, administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will support major construction and renovation at 143 community health centers nationwide over the next five years.