Stockton, CA – Today, San Joaquin County announced that San Joaquin Health Centers (SJ Health) has been awarded $650,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center Program to support access to primary health care services throughout the County.

The one-year award, which runs from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, was provided through HRSA’s New Access Points program. The funding is intended to support primary health services at approved health center sites and represents an important step in strengthening access to care for San Joaquin County residents.

“This investment will help us continue building a stronger health care system that meets people where they are and ensures residents throughout San Joaquin County can access the care they need,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chair Sonny Dhaliwal. “We thank our federal partners for recognizing the importance of investing in local health services and helping us bring federal dollars back home.”

As part of the award, SJ Health transitions from a Health Center Program “look-alike” to a federally funded health center, bringing its approved service sites and services into the federal Health Center Program.

“This award is an important milestone for San Joaquin County Clinics and the patients and communities we serve,” said Brian Heck, Chair of the SJ Health Board. “It recognizes the work our teams are doing every day to provide high-quality, accessible care and gives us additional resources to strengthen that work. We are excited about what this means for our ability to serve patients across the County.”

“This grant gives us an important opportunity to expand our mobile health services and bring care closer to residents who may otherwise face barriers to accessing it,” continued Dr. Ahad Yousuf, Director of SJ Health Clinics. “With an additional mobile unit, we can reach more communities across San Joaquin County and expand the range of services we provide directly where people live and work. This is an important step in our broader commitment to making high-quality, accessible health care available to everyone in our community.”

The federal award encompasses SJ Health service locations in Stockton, French Camp, and Manteca, as well as mobile clinic sites, among other approved locations. The award requires the approved sites to be open and operational within the timeframe established by HRSA and to meet federal Health Center Program requirements.

“Our work to advocate for expanding mental health treatment to all is paying off and getting the attention of Washington, D.C.,” added Vice Chair and District Four Supervisor Steve Ding. “This grant and new status are a gamechanger when it comes to keeping our community healthy.”

The Health Center Program supports organizations that provide comprehensive primary health care services, particularly for communities that face barriers to accessing care. Under the award, SJ Health will continue providing required and additional health services included in its approved federal scope of project.

###