The Lone Star Family Health Center in Montgomery County recently received federal grants to expand services in cancer screenings and improve access to behavioral health care.
According to information from the nonprofit center system, the grants from the Human Resources and Services Administration allow the center to reach its mission of bringing affordable care to the uninsured and underserved in the community.
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The first grant totaling $500,000 from the Human Resources and Services Administration Acceleration Cancer Screening Program allows the health center to enhance screening and referral rates for breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer in an underserved patient population over the next two years.
This is in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
“These screenings are vital to the early identification of cancer and other health concerns, giving patients the best chance for success,” said Karen Harwell, CEO of Lone Star Family Health Center. “Partnering with MD Anderson enables us to save more lives through early cancer detection and offer more comprehensive cancer care for the underserved in our community.”
The second grant awarded was $1.1 million from HRSA to expand behavioral health services.
This includes increasing the availability of counseling, psychiatric services and substance abuse treatment. Additionally, it allows the center to host lunch-and-learns on a variety of mental topics in partnership with community nonprofits.
“The need in our community for more access to affordable care cannot be overstated,” Harwell said. “With these funds, we plan to add resources allowing us to better integrate behavioral health services into our primary care setting.”
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This announcement comes as a 24,000-square-foot expansion at the Lone Star Family Health Center Conroe branch is nearing completion.
The expansion will add to the current building at 605 S. Conroe Medical Drive and is expected to open later this year or in early 2025. A dedicated mental health suite will be a part of the new space.
The addition will result in an additional clinical pod for the center and allow service for 3,000 more patients. The health center is expected to begin the new grant projects in 2025, with the goal of reaching more patients and improving overall community health outcomes.
Founded in 2002, Lone Star Family Health Center is a full-service federally qualified health center and nonprofit. The health center’s mission is to provide compassionate, affordable healthcare and prepare tomorrow’s family medicine professionals. The center provides medical, dental, women’s health and mental-health services.
Primary care services are offered across five clinic locations in Conroe, Willis, Spring, Grangerland and Huntsville.
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