AACI Receives $956,243 Federal Funding Award for Health Care Services
AACI Receives $956,243 Federal Funding Award for Health Care Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[San Jose, CA] Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), a non-profit organization based in San Jose, has received a three-year federal award to provide health care services. On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) announced that AACI will be awarded $956,243 each year for the next three years to continue providing comprehensive, culturally competent, high quality primary health care services to the local community. AACI is designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center.
In the last several years, AACI has dramatically expanded its primary care facilities, increasing the number of patient exam rooms, growing mental health services in a primary care setting, opening a multilingual call center, and expanding services in east San Jose in addition to the headquarter site in west San Jose.
“This federal award helps AACI improve the health and wellness of more residents in Santa Clara County,” stated Michele Lew, AACI President and CEO. “We are proud of our commitment to serve patients regardless of their ability to pay.”
Reymundo Espinoza, CEO at Gardner Health Services, noted, “As a sister community health center, Gardner salutes AACI on this award. In collaboration, our services will lead to healthier lives for thousands of our most vulnerable residents in Santa Clara County.”
With the federal funds, AACI will build on its model of a patient-centered “health home,” employing multilingual patient navigators who help patients with referrals, appointment scheduling, translation, transportation, and after-hours care. AACI will also provide enrollment assistance for Medi-Cal and Covered California, and will continue an emphasis on wellness services to promote whole health.
An AACI patient, Raheem, shared “I have diabetes, heart disease, and I needed a surgery in my right eye. As a refugee, I have no documents and no insurance. With these conditions, my life was really hard, and for a year and a half I struggled and had no hope of receiving care. When I came to AACI, my patient navigator walked with me to the Social Service Agency and helped me to get emergency Medi-Cal. Since then, my doctor at AACI was able to give me a referral to an eye specialist. Now I have great hope of getting surgery to fix my eye without high medical bills, as the patient navigator continues to help me – which is a big relief.”
For more information about AACI’s Federally Qualified Health Center award from HRSA, please click here.
About Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)’s mission is to improve the health, mental health, and well-being of individuals, families, and the Asian community. Founded in 1973, AACI is the largest community-based organization focused on the Asian community in Santa Clara County. Current programs include mental health and primary care health services, health education, HIV/AIDS testing and education, substance abuse treatment, problem gambling treatment, a center for survivors of torture, shelter and services for domestic violence victims, a senior center, youth programs, English classes, and community advocacy.
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