Child Health Services Building Makeover

Child Health Services was founded by the visionary pediatrician Dr. Selma Deitch in 1980. Her aim was to provide full-service health care to children from low-income families. Since then, the innovative pediatric clinic has provided medical care and family support services to tens of thousands of children.Dr. Deitch recognized that when it comes to health care poverty has to be viewed as a medical specialty with the complexity of heart disease or cancer. She brought together a collection of pediatricians, nurse practitioners, social workers, nutritionists, and family support workers in what she called a "bio-psycho-social" model of care. It was and is a collaborative model of care that recognizes that a child's medical problems can't be solved effectively if the family has basic needs such as food insecurity, safe housing, transportation, or language barriers.

In November of 2014 Child Health Services merged with Manchester Community Health Center to become the pediatric practice of MCHC. Under the community health center umbrella, Child Health Services at MCHC remains faithful to Dr. Deitch's bio-psycho-social model of care as an accredited Patient-Centered Medical Home.

Twenty years ago Child Health Services moved into the building that it occupies today at 1245 Elm Street in Manchester's downtown. Ten years ago, second-floor offices were renovated and a new heating system was installed. In September of 2015, Manchester Community Health Center was awarded a $1 million grant in HIIP (Health Investment Infrastructure Program) funds to renovate building systems and clinic space to improve the experiences of patients and staff. The grant was one of two awarded in Northern New England by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The funds will be used to increase the number of exam rooms from six to ten, add behavioral health consulting rooms, improve the patient experience, and make the building safer and more comfortable. The project will involve demolition and space reconfiguration, upgrades to plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems, wiring for data, and improved security systems.

We need your help to complete the building makeover!

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to take advantage of these additional resources to support expanded access to care, but we are $25,000 short of completing the building makeover. We need your help to bridge the gap in available funds for the project. Your support will allow us to increase the number of exam rooms from six to ten, add behavioral health consulting rooms, improve the work flow and patient experience, and make the building safer and more comfortable. Your contribution can help us make the $1 million makeover a reality.