The Federal Communications Commission is providing more than $15 million in funding to support telehealth services nationally — including two local organizations. Reliance on telehealth has increased significantly during the pandemic when in-person appointments became limited.
The Charles Judd Community Health Center in Honolulu and the Children with Special Needs Branch of the state Department of Health were awarded funding to expand their telehealth services.
Kokua Kalihi Valley’s Charles Judd Community Health Center will use the funds to begin a pilot project to remotely monitor health conditions and the mental health of their patients over age 50.
The pilot will serve an estimated 300 senior patients, 100% of whom are low-income.
The center seeks a video platform, hotspots, and internet access to help its patients access its health services virtually.
The Children with Special Needs Branch will begin a similar project tailored for low-income and veteran patients suffering from chronic conditions and needing maternal health care.
The pilot project will assist nearly 1,000 patients in Hawaiʻi. More than 75% of the patients will be veteran or low-income patients.
The Charles Judd Community Health Center seeks $82,535 in funds. The Children with Special Needs Branch will use $316,219.
