Item Description:
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Agmt A2211546 with the MN Dept of Health to provide funding to NorthPoint Health & Wellness Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Subsidy Grant Program, 01/01/26-12/31/26, $1,319,300 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2211546 with the Minnesota Department of Health to provide funding to NorthPoint Health & Wellness Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Subsidy Grant Program for the period of January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 in the receivable amount of $1,319,300 be approved; and that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county.
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Background:
With support from state subsidy funds, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center seeks to enhance and sustain critical health programs that serve students and families who are uninsured or underinsured. These funds will support the delivery of consistent, preventive, and comprehensive care-ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in access to essential medical services.
Programmatic Focus Areas
NorthPoint will address these goals through a multi-pronged, team-based approach that includes:
• Strengthening medical and behavioral health services at youth program sites to better meet the needs of children & adolescents.
• Coordinating services through the Obstetrics Care Coordination (OBCC) to streamline access to care.
• Providing financial counseling and health coverage navigation to help individuals and families enroll in insurance or access financial assistance.
• Enhancing chronic disease care coordination to support long-term health management for youth and families.
Each component will be delivered by multidisciplinary teams with specialized expertise, working collaboratively to ensure holistic, patient-centered care.
Capital Investment and Infrastructure Enhancements:
In addition to programmatic support, grant funds will enable NorthPoint to make critical capital investments in its dental services at the Broadway Avenue location. Planned improvements include:
• Purchasing new dental chairs to increase capacity and comfort.
• Upgrading the X-ray room to improve diagnostic capabilities.
• Enhancing the queuing and intake system to streamline enrollment for uninsured patients into health coverage or financial assistance programs.
Additional Services: The project will also provide equitable access to vaccinations and prescription medications for individuals experiencing gaps in healthcare coverage.
Per legislation passed during the 2007 session, Minnesota Statute 145.9269 empowers the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health to distribute grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and FQHC Look-Alikes “operating in Minnesota to continue, expand, and improve federally qualified health center services to low-income populations.” The program is administered by the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC).
NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operated through a co-applicant agreement between Hennepin County’s Division of Primary Care and an independent, Section 330-compliant governing board. This partnership combines strong infrastructure support with community-based governance. The FQHC Subsidy award will advance NorthPoint’s mission to create a healthier community by removing barriers to care and improving services for low-income populations. This initiative aims to expand access to high-quality, culturally responsive, school-based medical care for those facing systemic barriers such as poverty, uninsured/underinsurance, and limited English proficiency.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by improving access for residents with limited or no health care coverage. The majority of individuals served by NorthPoint, and supported through this funding are living below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines and often face complex health conditions. The Subsidy Grant is a critical resource that enables NorthPoint to coordinate care at little to no cost for these residents.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval