The Institute for Family Health Receives Funding to Increase Services for Hudson Valley LGBTQI+ Community

Kingston, NY (November 11, 2024) The Institute for Family Health was awarded funding from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute to develop comprehensive health services for LGBTQI+ patients in the Mid-Hudson Valley. The award, totaling $975,000 over the course of five years, will enable the Institute to launch a program to enhance health promotion, education and training, and cultural responsiveness activities to engage and retain LGBTQI+ individuals and families in primary and preventive health care services designed to meet their needs.

The program will serve the Institute’s five health centers located in Ulster and Dutchess Counties, with special emphasis on outreaching LGBTQI+ individuals and families from these communities to promote primary care, dental care and social support services. The Institute will also provide updated training to 350 staff to ensure that all programming is inclusive, affirming, and meets the standard set by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index. Some of the enhancements to Institute programs and services will be replicated in the Institute’s New York City service area as well.

“We are thrilled to use this opportunity to better serve our LGBTQI+ patients,” said Jay Musella, the Institute’s Senior Director of Population Services. “Though we have many talented staff with extensive experience caring for LGBTQI+ patients, we are excited to put this knowledge toward practice transformation and continuous quality improvement efforts that will enhance services across our organization.”

As a federally qualified health center network, the Institute for Family Health is committed to providing top-quality health care to all, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Services are available to patients of all ages. Institute health centers accept Medicare, Medicaid and dozens of private insurance plans, and offer a sliding-fee scale for those in need. To schedule an appointment, call 844-434-2778.