Conversion to Community Health Center Status Phase 2

In 2007, NYHealth funded His Branches, a health clinic serving low income individuals in Rochester, to convert its facilities to an Article 28 community health center.

Grantee Name

His Branches

Funding Area

Special Projects Fund

Publication Date

September 2013

Grant Amount

$10,687

Grant Date:

January 2011 – May 2012

Special Projects Fund

In 2007, NYHealth funded His Branches, a health clinic serving low income individuals in Rochester, to convert its facilities to an Article 28 community health center.

By doing so, it would allow for the facility to receive increased Medicaid reimbursements and community support in the form of donations and grants, as well as additional State and federal funds.

The main activities of this grant involved completing the last two contingency steps required by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to finalize its conversion. By the close of the grant, NYSDOH’s final inspection of His Branches’ facility updates had not yet occurred; the resulting inspection revealed that His Branches no longer met necessary building codes, which had been updated after the initial grant award, for its bathroom facilities. To meet these codes, NYHealth awarded His Branches a second grant in 2011 to bring its bathroom facilities into compliance with Article 28 status.

After completing several smaller revisions required by NYSDOH, His Branches received full Article 28 licensure in July 2011.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

  • Completed a quality assurance comprehensive policies and procedures manual that was accepted by NYSDOH;
  • Implemented a fully integrated and functional site of medical records software that included electronic medical record keeping, scheduling, and billing  for private and third-party vendors;
  • Completed the renovation of bathroom facilities;
  • Met building code regulations with several small revisions required, including rerouting of the ventilation ductwork in its laboratory; and
  • Received full Article 28 licensure on July 28, 2011.