Lofgren & Local Leaders Celebrate $3 Million in Federal Funding to Make CA-19 a Healthier Community to Live & Work
SAN JOSE, CA – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) presented checks appropriated by Congress for four community projects totaling $3 million. Together, these projects will make Santa Clara County a healthier place to live and work.
The four organizations below, listed in alphabetical order, accepted their allotments of federal funding at an event at a Bay Area Community Health clinic in San Jose.
Bay Area Community Health – $1 million
Lofgren presented a $1 million check for Bay Area Community Health to convert its electronic health records at all 15 of their Santa Clara County clinics to EPIC, a more seamless health information exchange system.
"Community Health Centers play a vital role in providing high-quality services to patients regardless of their ability to pay, their immigration status, their housing status, or any other barrier. And to best serve our community, our health centers need to be able to operate as efficiently as possible," said Lofgren. "I supported this project because it will allow for clinicians to have more information at their fingertips, thereby improving patient outcomes and identifying gaps in care."
"Bay Area Community Health thanks Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for her continued support. Her advocacy was integral to our success in the implementation of the electronic health information exchange conversion. The demand for electronic health information exchange continues to grow, particularly since the adoption of the Affordable Care Act. The health information exchange enables our care teams to provide better, more patient-centered care to the patients within Santa Clara County and build continuity between all twenty-one BACH clinic sites, and eight mobile units. Electronic health information exchange increases efficiency; improves public health reporting and monitoring, and reduces health-related costs in addition to improving patient outcomes," said Dr. Zettie Page, CEO of Bay Area Community Health.
San Jose Police Department – $1 million
Lofgren presented a $1 million check for the San Jose Police Department's Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT), which the Department runs in partnership with County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services. The federal funding will allow Santa Clara County to continue the program in the short-term while they work to secure longer-term funding to incorporate MCAT into community policing plans.
"The San Jose Police Department's novel Mobile Crisis Assessment Team helps move high-risk individuals into treatment they need. When an alarmed resident calls 911 about menacing behavior, sometimes the safest and most effective response can be from a behavioral health professional. I commend the department and the county for collaborating to protect the public. It's my hope that the work here in San Jose to use the most effective tools to respond to concerning behavior not only grows locally, but can be replicated around the Bay Area, throughout California, and beyond," said Lofgren.
"Addressing mental health requires all of us to care, participate in solutions, and dedicate resources. Congresswoman Lofgren has done all three for our community, and this funding will assist us in continuing our program which has a positive impact on people's lives," said San Jose Chief of Police Anthony Mata.
San Jose State University – $500,000
Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for the San Jose State University's Healthy Development Community Clinic for their joint project with the East Side Union School District that provides families with healthcare services, while also helping advance graduate students' education through in-the-field professional experience.
"I find it inspiring that SJSU's College of Education is taking advantage of their expertise on campus – the professors and students focused on child development, speech pathology, therapy, and more – to help underserved children, adolescents, parents, and families in San Jose," said Lofgren. "It's a win-win-win – for families, graduate students, and our community as a whole."
"We are very grateful to Rep. Zoe Lofgren for her support of the Healthy Development Community Clinic," shared Heather Lattimer, dean of San Jose State University's College of Education. "This federal investment will allow us to significantly expand the education, mental health, and wellness services that the HDCC is able to offer to children and families in the East San José community."
SOMOS Mayfair – $500,000
Lofgren presented a $500,000 check for SOMOS Mayfair's new community center on the ground floor of the Quetzal Garden Apartments.
"Affordable housing needs to also be supportive housing," said Lofgren. "This project will spur economic development and foster opportunities for independent, stable living. I am proud we secured funding for this center that helps individuals, families, and businesses."
"We are deeply committed to keeping our residents here, in their city, in their neighborhoods, and projects like Quetzal are a reminder and proof that we can have development without displacement. Quetzal Gardens speaks of hope. As East San Jose families emerge from the pandemic battling displacement and gentrification, it's more important now than ever to have spaces for community to receive resources, organize, heal, laugh, learn, and dream together," said SOMOS Mayfair's Director of Organizing Andrea Portillo.
Background
The funding comes from Lofgren-requested Community Project Funding included in Fiscal Year 2022 government funding legislation signed into law in March 2022.
In total, Lofgren secured $7,510,000 for projects in the 19th Congressional District.
Lofgren will announce funding for six additional community projects in the coming weeks.
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