APRIL 30, 2013
CONTACT: Scott Zoback (508.831.7356)
U.S. Rep.
McGovern announces Department of Health & Human Services Grants for Family
Health Center, Clark University
United
States Representative Jim McGovern announced two federal grants from the
Department of Health and Human Services for Worcester organizations today.
The
Family Health Center of Worcester received $367,630 to continue funding of
their Health Center Cluster, while a study at Clark University on Postpartum Mental Health among
Visible and Invisible Minority Women will be funded for $718,722 over the next
three and a half years.
“These
competitive grants once again illustrate the incredible work being done in
health research and health services in Worcester,” said Congressman McGovern.
We are fortunate to have organizations like Family Health Center and Clark
University leading the charge to ensure that our residents – all of them – get
the physical and mental care they deserve.”
Family
Health Center’s grant will be used to continue to deliver comprehensive primary
health care for vulnerable populations, including low-income families,
individuals with chronic disease and complex medical conditions, culturally and
linguistically diverse residents, pregnant women and children in school based
health centers.
"This
grant is the early funding of a five year commitment by the federal government
to support the efforts of Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. to provide
high quality, culturally competent health care to all, regardless of ability to
pay,” said Family Health Center Executive Director Frances Anthes. We are
thrilled to receive continued funding and honored to provide this care to
Worcester area residents of all ages."
Clark University’s grant is being awarded to a
study being led by Professor Abbie Goldbrg of the Psychology Department. This
study will examine postpartum depression in a diverse group of women: namely,
heterosexual women, visible sexual minority women (i.e., lesbian women) and
invisible sexual minority women (i.e., who have a history of sexual
relationships with women but who are partnered with men at the time that they
become parents).
“This research has exciting possibilities
for shifting our understanding of sexual identity, behavior, and relationship
history and their implications for mental health, particularly during the
transition to parenthood,” said Professor Goldberg. “We hope that our findings
will be able to inform the practice of health care providers who interface with
women during the perinatal period.”