Harder Brings Home $500,000 for New Adolescent Health Center in Stockton

WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced $500,000 in federal funding for Community Medical Centers (CMC) in Stockton to build a regional Adolescent Health Center. This center will be a one-stop shop for at-risk and low-income kids in San Joaquin County to get crucial primary and preventive health care, mental health services, substance use treatment, and more.

“It’s completely unacceptable that our kids can’t get the basic health care they need. There simply are not enough open appointments, so our kids have to wait all while they get sicker and their futures are put in jeopardy,” said Rep. Harder. “Creating this health center for young people to access all of the preventive, mental health, and specialty care they need will ensure appointments are available for kids right here in our community. I fought to secure these funds so that families in San Joaquin County can get the health care they need when and where they need it.”

“We’re very grateful to Rep. Harder for his support of our new Adolescent Health Center,” CMC Chief Executive Officer Christine Noguera said. “We know that young people aren’t always certain of where to go to access health care. The Adolescent Health Center will be a trusted place for them to receive the services they need during an important period in their lives. We are delighted to have found Dr. Vanessa Armendariz to help us establish this vital community hub.”

Right now, kids and teens in Stockton and the surrounding area have very few options when it comes to health care – especially preventive care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. This regional Adolescent Health Center in Stockton will help to fill that void for at-risk and low-income kids who otherwise might go without important care. Ensuring San Joaquin kids can access the health care services they need will set future generations up for success.

This Adolescent Health Center will provide wrap-around care, including case management, referrals to housing, transportation assistance, community programs, eligibility benefit enrollment, and assistance with accessing other community resources.

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