Resources for Community Health Centers and Clinics
Community health centers, federally qualified health centers, free and charitable clinics, and primary care offices are essential to ensuring access to healthcare for millions of Americans—especially those who are uninsured, live in rural or underserved areas, or face barriers to traditional healthcare systems.
In 2022 alone, more than 1,400 free and charitable clinics provided 5.8 million patient visits to 1.7 million individuals, 93% of whom were uninsured. Community health centers served over 30 million people across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. These healthcare sites are often the only source of care for individuals living on low incomes, undocumented individuals, and those in medical care deserts.
Unfortunately, public health emergencies and disasters—such as hurricanes, pandemics, and supply chain disruptions—can severely impact these centers due to limited resources, smaller staff sizes, and their geographic locations (42% are in rural areas). This makes it critical to ensure they are equipped to continue operating and serving their communities during times of crisis.
How Healthcare Ready Supports Community-Based Healthcare Providers
Healthcare Ready is committed to strengthening the ability of health centers and clinics to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions. We support providers by offering:
- Training and resources for staff and volunteers
- Support for accessing medical supplies and services
- Guidance on emergency preparedness and continuity of operations
- Information on available funding sources and how to access them
- Policy advocacy to protect and support these essential healthcare sites
Our free tools, guides, research, and training opportunities are designed to help healthcare providers stay informed, connected, and supported before, during, and after emergencies.
ARCHER
ARCHER: Advancing Resilience in Community Health in Emergency Response
Launched in 2021 with funding from the Centene Charitable Foundation, the Advancing Resilience in Community Health in Emergency Response (ARCHER) program is a Healthcare Ready initiative focused on strengthening the emergency response and recovery capabilities of community health centers in high-risk regions across the United States.
ARCHER provides practical tools, resources, and training to help health centers better prepare for and respond to disasters and public health emergencies. The program is designed to support clinics serving vulnerable populations—ensuring they can continue delivering care when it’s needed most.
Explore our trainings and reports on a variety of preparedness topics for community health centers and clinics below.
Restoring the Healthcare Workforce for Equity
Support for Frontline Healthcare Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic’s unprecedented toll on the healthcare workforce has affected workers across geographies and professions. Lower-income communities, rural areas, and communities of color – are at disproportionate risk of harm from pandemic-related workforce impacts. With generous funding from the Centers for Disaster Philanthropy, this program provides 1-hour webinars for health center and clinic staff on topics to support workforce mental health and emotional well-being; and research findings on widening healthcare disparities caused by systemic COVID-19-related impacts.
Visit our Restoring the Healthcare Workforce for Equity webpage for additional resources.
Workforce Webinars for Resiliency and Recovery
Access 1-hour trainings on strategies and resources available to support workforce well-being (for all front-line staff and leaders)
- Breaking the Ties that Bind: Moving Toward Health Equity [Webinar] [Resources]
- Social Determinants of Mental Health and the Fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic [Webinar] [Resources]
- Health Equality vs. Health Equity: Why Knowing the Difference Matters [Webinar] [Resource]
- Mental Health, Self-Care, and Burnout at Free and Charitable Clinics [Webinar] [Resource]
- Mental Health and Resiliency Training [Resource]
Impact of Racism on Mental Health and Well-being in the Healthcare Workforce [Webinar] [Resource]
Emergency Preparedness Training Webinars
Access 1-hour trainings on strategies and resources available to support workforce well-being (for all front-line staff and leaders)
- Emergency Preparedness Planning Refresh – CMS Final Rule [Part 1] [Part 2] [HCC Resource] [DME Resource]
- Cyber Security for Community Health Centers [Webinar]
- Engaging and Strengthening Partnerships Webinar [Webinar] [Partner Mapping Resource] [Partnership Tips Resource] [VOADs Resource]
- Crisis Standards of Communication [Webinar] [Social Media Resource]
- Supporting Community Health Center Staff Through Sustained Emergencies [Webinar]
- Communicating the Business Case for Emergency Preparedness [Webinar]
- Hurricane Preparedness Tipsheet
- Wildfire Preparedness Tipsheet
Supply Chain Training Webinars and Resources
View reports and resources on supply chain resilience strategies
- Supply Chain Resiliency: Collaborative Procurement Playbook [Playbook]
- Guide to Developing Critical Supplies Lists for Health Centers and Clinics [Report]
- Sample Critical Supplies List for Health Centers and Clinics [Sample List]
- Supply Ready Report: Leading Practices for Supply Chain Resilience [Report]
