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CASSOPOLIS — A local healthcare provider will be able to bring increased remote services to initials during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a recently received grant.

Cassopolis Family Clinic Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the communities of Cass and southeast Berrien counties, has received a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund in the amount of $50,000.

The grant was gifted to assist CFCN, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in their efforts to implement telehealth services to reach more patients, allow current patients to remain in a secure environment for their appointment (especially for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals), and allow for more frequent follow-up care.

“I speak for everyone at our organization in expressing our gratitude to the Health Fund for its generous support of our Health Center and the important work we are doing in the community,” said CFCN Chief Executive Officer, Mary Geegan Middleton.  “Offering telehealth services will allow our medical and behavioral health providers to care for their patients in the comfort of their home to keep them well and out of the emergency room for non-life threatening matters.”

With the opening of its new facility, Niles Community Health Center, and expanded medical staff, CFCN is well positioned to serve more people in southwest Michigan with primary care and behavioral health services, officials said. While the health center accepts most insurances, CFCN offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured – eligibility is based on household size and income.  Community Health Workers are available at each location to help patients enroll in Michigan Medicaid Healthcare Plans, the Sliding Fee Discount Program, and Health Insurance Marketplace Plans.

“Removing financial barriers for people seeking primary care services is our focus.  Providing the community with the care people need is our goal,” Middleton said.