Federal Funds Coming For Health Centers, Foster Youth In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — There are some federal funds headed Newark’s way, and they’ll benefit low-income people in need of health care and local youth aging out of foster care, officials say.

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that nearly $90 million in American Rescue Plan funding has been approved for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the nation, including Newark.

According to the state health department, New Jersey’s FQHCs provide health care to all people regardless of their ability to pay. Residents don’t need health insurance to receive care at a health center, which serve uninsured people as well as patients with Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, Medicare and private insurance. In New Jersey, 24 community health centers operate 135 sites, providing a range of health care services to nearly 600,000 New Jerseyans.

Those that will receive money include the Newark Community Health Center, where U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez appeared earlier this month to celebrate National Health Center Week and announce the latest round of federal funding.

According to Menendez, the Newark Community Health Center stands to get $65,000 out of a combined total of $1.44 million, which will be divided among the state’s FQHCs.

The senator said he’s been a longtime supporter of community health centers, which are especially important in neighborhoods with lower incomes. As part of the American Rescue Plan, Menendez helped to secure $7.6 billion for FQHCs, including $129,653,750 for FQHCs in New Jersey.

FOSTER CARE

Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $297,048 to the Newark Housing Authority to assist youths 18 to 24 years old aging out of foster care.

HUD administrators said the funding is being awarded through the Foster Youth to Independence initiative (FYI), which assists youths who leave foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, and are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.

According to the HUD:

“Youth aging out of foster care often remain homeless, seeing themselves in dangerous situations and delaying their future and professional development. The FYI program affords young people who are aging out of foster care with a place of their own, helping to ensure their health and safety while providing them with stability as they transition into the next chapter of their lives.”

To qualify for the funding, the housing authority must partner with a local homeless assistance organization that will provide supportive services for a period of 36 months to youth assisted through this program. Youth will not be required to participate in these services as a condition of receipt of the voucher, the HUD stated.

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