Norcross Announces $3M+ in Federal Grants for South Jersey Community Health Centers

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that two federally qualified health centers in South Jersey will receive $3.3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Center Program.

CAMcare Health Corporation, which has serviced Camden and Gloucester counties since 1978, will receive $2,064,418 to provide care for those in need in South Jersey. Project H.O.P.E., which specializes the health and well-being of homeless residents in Camden, will receive $1,218,670 to provide healthcare to the homeless and enhance substance abuse programs.

“Everyone ought to have access to quality health care. It’s that simple, and community health centers play an important role in ensuring there’s access for all. CAMcare and Project H.O.P.E. provide high-quality healthcare for families in our district that need it most, and, in turn, keep our neighbors healthy and out of Emergency Rooms,” said Congressman Norcross. “Investments like these improve the well-being of our neighbors and friends, help us battle the disease of addiction at home and support jobs for hard-working health care professionals who devote their time to helping others.”

“These funds will be used to provide primary care to the unserved and underserved families in South Jersey,” said Mark Roberts, President and CEO of CAMcare Health Corporation. “With the current climate of our healthcare system, Federally Qualified Health Centers – the safety net of the communities – depend on funding sources to continue focusing on population health management and integration of all health care services. Our organization continues to work collaboratively with appropriate community resource agencies, hospital systems, educational institutions and public officials – like Congressman Norcross – to increase access to care regardless of the patients’ social or economic status.”

“This funding enables Project H.O.P.E. to continue to provide comprehensive primary care to underserved individuals who come to our health center with serious and chronic physical and mental health conditions. A significant number of these individuals also struggle with opioid use disorder along with their other complex challenges. With the opioid use disorder affecting over two million Americans annually, this funding permits Project H.O.P.E. to continue to lead community treatment efforts providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) along with counseling to patients with heroin and other opioid dependency issues,” said Patricia DeShields, CEO of Project H.O.P.E.

This is part of a $4.1 million Health Center Program grant for CAMcare and $2.3 million grant for Project H.O.P.E. They are two of the 23 New Jersey program grantees.

The Health Center Program is overseen by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and aims to improve health care access and strengthen the health workforce. Nearly 26 million Americans rely on HRSA-funded medical centers.