Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit  community health center serving the greater Plainfield and Elizabeth communities. NHSC has been designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service's Bureau of Primary Health. This means we receive funding from the Federal government to operate our centers and adhere to the high standards and strict regulations set for FQHCs .

““The Mission of the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation is to be a leader of ambulatory primary health care services within the medically undeserved and uninsured populations in the communities we serve. We offer quality services in a cost effective, safe environment that is culturally diverse and responsive to the changing needs of the patient population.””

History

Neighborhood Health Services Corporation (NHSC), previously known as the Plainfield Health Center (PHC), was born under the auspices of the 1960's Model Cities Neighborhood Program. Led by a dedicated group of community activists, the Center was initially created to provide accessible health care to the underserved residents of the West End of Plainfield.

The first facility opened in 1969 as a "well baby clinic" housed in a storefront facility on West 4th Street. It started as a maternal and child health care program dedicated to reversing the community's high infant mortality rate, which was, at that time, 26.6 infants for every 1000 births. The community also experienced a high incidence of preventable illnesses caused by lead poisoning, communicable diseases and poor dental health.

In 2006, the corporate name was changed from Plainfield Health Center to Neighborhood Health Services Corporation to reflect the expansion of its services into other geographic regions in Union County.

Since its inception in 1969, Neighborhood Health Services Corporation continued to expand its reach of providing healthcare services to the surrounding communities where it has satellite locations.  As additional services were added, there was an increase in provider staff and a new satellite health center opened in Elizabeth in 2003. Today, Neighborhood Health Services Corporation serves more than 22,000 patients of all ages annually. Its total care program provides internal medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, family planning, pediatrics, dentistry and social work support services. Additional services include HIV/AIDS treatment and therapy, nutritional counseling, and outreach services. The "well baby clinic" of more than 30 years ago has expanded to a comprehensive parental care program, which provides a full scope of on-site prenatal and support services.

What is an Federally QUality Health Center (FqHC)?

"Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) include all organizations receiving grants under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS). FQHCs qualify for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other benefits. FQHCs must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors. Certain tribal organizations and FQHC Look-Alikes (an organization that meets PHS Section 330 eligibility requirements, but does not receive grant funding) also may receive special Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement."

Exert taken from hrsa.gov

 

NHSC receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Heath Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice, for itself and its covered individuals.

Mission Statement: The Mission of the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation is to be a leader of ambulatory primary health care services within the medically under-served and uninsured populations in the communities we serve. We offer quality services in a cost effective, safe environment that is culturally diverse and responsive to the changing needs of the patient population.