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Benton County approves application to HRSA for new Albany health access point
Summary
The board authorized submission of a HRSA New Access Point application proposed by Community Health Centers to establish a permanent Albany clinic offering primary care with integrated behavioral-health services; application due end of month and would fund staff and up to $250,000 in renovations if awarded.
The Benton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve submission of an application for the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) New Access Point funding aimed at establishing a permanent clinic in the Albany area.
Lacey Molell and Christine Mosbaugh of the Community Health Centers (CHC) told the board HRSA’s New Access Point awards prioritize high unmet-need areas, year-round fixed sites operating at least 40 hours per week and integration of mental-health and substance-use disorder services. Presenters identified an East‑Albany zip‑block with an HRSA unmet‑need score of about 60.75 and said roughly 20% of current CHC patients in Benton and Linn counties come from the Albany area.
CHC described a potential co‑location with Family Tree Relief Nursery in Albany, noting HRSA grants can include up to $650,000 in award funding with as much as $250,000 available for renovations. The initial application abstract proposes staffing of 1 primary care FTE, 2 mental‑health FTEs (including a QMHP and a CADC) and roughly five support staff, with a projected maximum caseload near 3,000 patients if the award is made.
CHC clarified that the proposed Albany access point would operate under CHC funds (fund 05/22) and not draw from Benton County general fund dollars; CHC said inter‑fund transfers and existing surplus dynamics help support operations across counties. Molell said the application deadline is the end of the month and HRSA expects to notify recipients around June 1 of the following year. Commissioner Pat Malone moved and commissioners approved the application submission by voice vote.
If awarded, the CHC said it would complete agreements, job descriptions and required budget and policy items quickly to meet HRSA’s operational timelines.
