AGAPE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER NETWORK RECEIVES FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER FUNDING 

JACKSONVILLE -The Agape Community Health Center, Inc. (Agape) announces that they have received federal funding in the amountof $2.1 millionfor three years to operate independently as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Under the Public Health Service Act, FQHCs provide core primary care services to underserved populations. Agape and the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) are partnered to provide services through March 31, 2016. With the grant award, Agape will operate as a stand-alone FQHC.

FQHCs provide primary and preventive care servicesto community memberswithout regard to their ability to pay. DOH-Duval will assist with transition as Agape Community Health Center, Inc. prepares to continue patient care.

"Our partnership with the health department has served the community well. This funding will assure the continued provision of quality primary care for the community," said Mia Jones, Executive Director of Agape. "Our intent is to continue to provide services to the more than25,000patients currently served in our centers, and build partnerships to make services more comprehensive."

The Agape/DOH partnership has been in existence since 2004. Agape Community Health Center will operateat up to five sites and run both mobile medical and mobile dental units. Agape will provide Primary Care for Men, Women and Children, Dental Services for Adults and Children, and Pharmacy Services.

"This is a win-win situation", said Dr. Kelli Wells, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. "We will continue to work with the FQHC as a community partner to address public health issues and improve outcomes, while providing core public health services at some of its sites."

Those core services include communicable disease screening and treatment, immunizations, and family planning. The Health Department will also continue pediatric care at all of its sites that currently provide it.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by thePublic Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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