Peak Vista receives third helping of stimulus money

Peak Vista Community Health Centers has received an additional $1.8 million from the capital investment program from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The health center has also recieved two other grants from the stimulus package: one for $776,173 to add new staff and increase patients and the other for $1.3 million to provide part time and full time positions and a mobile health care center.

“Since the economic downturn, our patient load is increasing,” said Lynn Pelz, spokeswoman for Peak Vista. “We’re seeing a lot of people who need help for the first time, and they are unsure how to navigate the system.”

The latest grant will go for capital improvements - information technology, replacement of clinical and office equipment and facility repair. Peak Vista is one of 15 health centers in the state to receive the money.

The other two grants are for two years each - and Pelz admits the centers will have to find some extra money when the grants run out in 2011.