Austin group wins $500,000 federal grant

Circle Family HealthCare Network (Circle) has received $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to build two school-based health centers.

Circle will use the funds, from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to build and equip clinics at John Marshall High School and Proviso West High School. Both clinics will provide comprehensive medical and mental health services as well as preventive services, including health education and screenings.

“Circle has a school-based health center located in Austin High School, and we are excited to receive this funding,” said Circle CEO Andrè Hines. “Circle continues to see strong demand for quality health care, and we will continue to respond to those demands by providing increase access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services.”

Circle is a 35-year-old faith-based community health center that provides medical, behavioral health and human services on Chicago’s West Side, including Austin, Humboldt Park, East and West Garfield Park and North Lawndale.

Circle was selected after a competitive review in which 278 awards were awarded by HRSA. Circle is one of three organizations from Illinois to receive the maximum grant of $500,000; in all, nine Chicago groups will receive grants. The two-year grant period provides a total $95 million nationwide in funding under the FY 2011 round of the SBHCC Program.

Provided by the Affordable Care Act, the School Based Health Center Construction Program (SBHC) grants will support significant and pressing capital needs and the purchase of moveable equipment, alteration and renovation and/or construction for a school-based health center.