photo by: Courtesy of Heartland Community Health Center

Heartland Community Health Center's facility at 1312 W. Sixth St.

Heartland Community Health Center was selected this week as one of just three health centers in Kansas to receive an Early Childhood Development grant intended to improve developmental outcomes among children age 5 and younger.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care awarded $30 million to 151 HRSA-funded health centers across the country as part of National Health Center Week, which runs Aug. 6 through Aug. 12. Heartland received a $200,000 share of that overall total, which leaders with the health center say will allow them to expand Heartland’s work force to include community health workers dedicated to pediatric services for families with developmental delays.

According to a release from Heartland, the addition of those workers will play a “pivotal role” in bridging the gap between underserved populations and essential health care services.

“This funding provides us with a unique opportunity to enhance our impact on the developmental health of our youngest patients,” Chrissy Heikkila, Heartland’s director of grants, said in the release. “Our dedicated team, in partnership with the invaluable community health workers, will be instrumental in addressing health disparities and promoting positive outcomes for children and families.”

The release notes that Heartland continues to experience “exponential growth,” as it has seen a 228% increase in total patients since 2019. In 2022 alone, Heartland cared for 13,787 children age 17 and younger.

This is the second recent announcement from Heartland related to expanded services for young patients. In June, Heartland announced plans to expand its pediatric psychiatry and mental health services, including hiring additional pediatric psychiatrists and therapists and constructing a designated building to provide trauma-informed care that’s set to be completed by September 2024.

“The Early Childhood Development grant and Heartland’s Building Bright Futures campaign stand as powerful testaments to Heartland’s commitment to the wellbeing and potential of every child in our community,” Elizabeth Keever, Heartland’s chief development officer, said in the release. “These initiatives represent the heart of Heartland’s mission, embodying our dedication to ensuring that every child receives the support, care and resources they need to thrive.”