'Ohana Health Plan and the Centene Foundation Award Grant to Hawai'i Island Community Health Center to Expand Healthcare Access

Core Insights - The Centene Foundation and 'Ohana Health Plan have awarded a $550,000 grant to Hawai'i Island Community Health Center (HICHC) to fund a mobile health clinic aimed at improving access to health services for underserved students in rural Hawai'i Island [1][2][3] Group 1: Grant and Project Overview - The grant will support HICHC's "Gateway to Health" project over two years, focusing on expanding school-based health services through a new mobile health clinic [1][2] - The mobile health clinic will provide medical, dental, and mental health services directly to students in rural areas, addressing the lack of access to healthcare facilities [2][3] Group 2: Impact on Students and Communities - The initiative aims to enhance students' health, thereby improving their academic performance and reducing absenteeism [2][3] - HICHC currently operates School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) across five locations, serving eight schools, which help eliminate barriers to care such as transportation issues [3][5] Group 3: Organizational Background - HICHC is one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in Hawai'i, employing over 400 healthcare professionals and serving 40,000 residents across 14 locations [5] - 'Ohana Health Plan provides managed care services primarily through Medicaid and Medicare, focusing on families and individuals with complex medical needs [6] - The Centene Foundation is dedicated to investing in economically challenged communities and improving health equity through various initiatives [7]