History
East Hartford Community HealthCare (EHCHC) was incorporated in 1995 after a County-based Primary Care Access Plan for Connecticut showed four areas, including East Hartford, as “high priority” areas for expanding primary care access. It was started by community volunteers and the East Hartford Health Department to address this need.
EHCHC began providing primary medical care in East Hartford on June 3, 1996. In 2000, EHCHC participated in the East of the River Oral Health Initiative that identified the dire need for financially accessible dental services “east of the river”. As a result, EHCHC opened its dental services in East Hartford in July 2002 and in Manchester in September 2002. Funding from the State of Connecticut supported construction of EHCHC’s East Hartford site and start-up operations. Funding from the state and private foundations supported construction of EHCHC’s dental facilities. EHCHC sought and obtained FQHC Look-Alike status in 2000 and FQHC status in 2002. EHCHC was deemed under the Federal Tort Claims Act in 2003. EHCHC opened medical services in Manchester in November 2005 and medical in Vernon in September 2007. EHCHC also operates three portable dental hygiene programs serving the East Hartford, Manchester and Vernon School System. In 2010 EHCHC opened a satellite school based health center at the Cheney Technical School in Manchester.
Unique characteristics/significant accomplishments
EHCHC is a key provider of services to the community and has developed strong community relationships and positive patient satisfaction. In FY 2003, EHCHC expanded its medical services to include the full scope of OB/GYN services including deliveries, on site ultrasound, urodynamics and colposcopy, reduced routine medical appointments wait times, and initiated dental services. During Calendar Year 2009 EHCHC provided 57,547 visits to 13,657 unduplicated users. EHCHC is moving toward a “one-stop-shopping” model of comprehensive, community health center services for vulnerable populations in its service area. EHCHC will continue to evaluate the community, target, and patient populations’ needs for care and related services and will adjust its staffing pattern, services, and sites to appropriately meet the identified needs of individuals in all life cycles.