Generations Family Health Center, Inc. (Generations) is a private, not-for-profit, regional Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that has been serving eastern Connecticut since 1984, when it opened its first site in Willimantic under the auspices of the Windham Area Community Action Program (now ACCESS Agency, Inc). In 1991, the health center separately incorporated as HealthFirst, Inc., then later changed its name to Generations Family Health Center, Inc. and opened additional primary care sites in the Danielson borough of the town of Killingly in 1993, the city of Norwich in 1994 and Putnam in 2009.
Today, Generations provides a full continuum of primary health care, oral health care, behavioral health care and case management services to a primarily medically underserved population, including children, at-risk families, HIV, homeless, and migrant populations through sites in Willimantic, Norwich, Danielson and Putnam. In addition, Generations operates numerous community programs that are aimed at people with certain health conditions or challenges, which include: the Migrant Farmworker; Children in Fostercare; Health Care to the Homeless; Ryan White Title C and D Early Intervention programs; Smoking Cessation programs; and Maternal-Child Healthcare Coordination, Parent Education and Case Management Services through its Healthy Start and Building Bridges and Nurturing Families programs.
As a community-based non-profit health service organization with 501 (c) (3) status, Generations Family Health Center, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of 51% consumers of health center services. The Generations Family Health Center, Inc. service delivery area encompasses rural eastern Connecticut and serves residents of at least 33 towns over nine hundred (900) square miles.
Generations is the only FQHC in Windham County and the only federally-funded FQHC in Norwich. As a community health center, Generations always works with other health care organizations in the region, such as the hospitals, specialists and private practices, to coordinate the necessary care for the patients we serve.
1993 Federal 330 grant funding is finally secured after three attempts. The Danielson and Norwich sites receive start-up funding under the State Community Health Center Expansion program. The Danielson site moves out of the shelter into the Broad Street location.
1994 WACAP Community Services Health Center, Inc. changes its name to Healthfirst, Inc. Norwich site becomes operational in a small suite over the Backus Hospital Emergency Room. The two Windham sites are consolidated into a newly renovated 8,000 square foot location in October 1994.
2003 The Migrant/Farmworker program was introduced by Generations in the Windham area. Generations participates in the Health Disparities Collaborative, sponsored by the Bureau of Primary Health Care, with a focus on Diabetes. Generations receives federal grants to support the start-up of the Ryan White HIV program and expand Healthcare to the Homeless services in Willimantic.
2004 The Danielson site is relocated to larger quarters at 54 Reynolds Street. With Expanded Medical Capacity funds, the Willimantic site undergoes renovations to add an additional seven exam rooms, lab, and offices.
2007 A Rural Heath Outreach grant is awarded to develop The Across the Smiles-Windham program, providing oral health care to Windham schools and community sites. The Health Center purchases more than 3 acres in Willimantic, positioning the agency to build a future facility for relocation of services.
2008 The Health Care Access and Promotions department expands with the development of the Children with Special Health Care Needs and Smoking Cessation programs. New specialty clinics are implemented at the Willimantic site, providing orthopedics and GYN services. The Public/Private Partnership begins with a local private dentist in Putnam, increasing access to restorative dental care.
2009 Several major changes occur in 2009. Generations implements Behavioural Health Services at its Willimantic site. An interim site in Putnam opens, providing medical and dental services. Planning and design is underway to develop new permanent facilities in Willimantic and in Putnam.
2011 - In December 2011, Generations opened their new 'state of the art green' facility located at 40 Mansfield Avenue in Willimantic. The new site featured healthcare services under one roof - Medical, Dental, Behavioral Health & Healthcare Access services as well as Administrative offices and their other Willimantic sites closed.
2012 In August 2012, Generations moved into its new permanent state of the art green facility located at 202 Pomfret Street in Putnam. This new site has medical, dental, behavioral health, and health education services under one roof.
2013 In August of 2013, in partnership with the town of Putnam, Generations opened a School Based Health Center. This program is located at the Putnam Middle School. Medical, dental, behavioral health and health education services are offered on-site at the school.
The mission of Generations Family Health Center, Inc. is to provide quality, compassionate and professional health care that is affordable, easily accessible and without discrimination to all members of the communities we serve.
Generations Family Health Center, Inc.s Board of Directors is composed of dedicated volunteers from the communities we serve who generously donate their time and talent. They assist Generations staff with direction and vision to help improve the health of those we serve.
