ECMC ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY COVID-19 TESTING SITES PROGRAM – ERIE COUNTY
ECMC redirects Medicaid funds enabling 27 sites in 17 priority zip codes across Amherst, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, and Williamsville communities
BUFFALO, N.Y – Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMC) today announced 10 community health center and primary care practice organizations have been approved to receive $2.3M in Delivery Service Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) funds to support COVID-19 testing at 27 sites and from three mobile units operating in 17 priority zip codes located in Amherst, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield and Williamsville, NY.
The organizations selected for funding have existing agreements under the DSRIP Medicaid program in these vulnerable communities. They were able to apply for COVID-19 testing site grant funding for up to $2,500/day for up to 100 days. These organizations will have specific deliverables and reporting requirements.
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President and CEO, Erie County Medical Center said, “The ECMC DSRIP-funded community testing sites program is part of a multi-pronged community-based healthcare initiative designed to support Western New York’s vulnerable, at-risk residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. NYS Medicaid Waiver funding is being used in these vulnerable communities to increase testing and link individuals with primary care. The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionally affecting minority and economically challenged areas due to social determinates of health that have created underlining health conditions in these communities.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “ECMC’s expanded testing initiative is great news and is a welcome addition to ongoing efforts to increasing testing, especially among vulnerable populations. This expanded reach and increase in awareness of COVID-19 will help to keep residents safer and connect them with health care where needed. Having committed partners is critical to an effective response and I thank ECMC and their team for working in communities across Erie County and our region.”
The ECMC DSRIP-funded community testing sites program is part of a multi-pronged community-based healthcare initiative designed to support Western New York’s vulnerable, at-risk residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. NYS Medicaid Waiver funding is being used in these vulnerable communities to increase testing and link individuals with primary care.
The community testing sites program is in addition to expanded testing capabilities at ECMC, as well as Kaleida Health’s recently announced effort to expand its laboratory testing capability for COVID-19. An additional $1.125M in funding has also been provided to the African American Health Equity Task Force, to facilitate the Task Force’s work with Buffalo-area churches and other community-based organizations to reach out to vulnerable individuals and educate them on COVID-19-related health issues and identify barriers to care and link individuals with primary care and COVID-19 testing sites. Also, with support of the New York State Department of Health, an additional $7.24 million was released as early distribution of funds to outpatient community partners, including primary care and behavioral health partners, as well as organizations who are engaged in three areas of activity: 1) Expanding healthcare capacity to reach Medicaid and vulnerable populations (e.g. telehealth); 2) Address social determinants of health (e.g., food, food pantries, rent assistance, housing); 3) and provide COVID-19-related care.
Community Testing Site Locations
| TESTING ORGANIZATION | LOCATION | ZIP CODE | TESTING HOURS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMHERST | Rapha Family Wellness Center | 3610 Main St. | 14226 | Sat. 10AM – 2 PM |
| BUFFALO | Rapha Family Wellness Center | 2200 Main St. | 14214 | Tues./Thurs./Fri. 10 AM – 4PM |
| Rapha Family Wellness Center | Mobile Medical Unit | Variable Community Locations | Variable Hours | |
| Community Health Center of Buffalo | 34 Benwood Ave. | 14214 | Mon., Tues., Wed. 8AM – 5PM |
|
| Community Health Center of Buffalo | Mobile Medical Unit | Variable Community Locations | Variable Hours | |
| ECMC Family Health Center | 462 Grider St. | 14215 | Mon-Fri. 8AM – 4PM |
|
| Evergreen Health | 3297 Bailey Ave. | 14215 | Mon-Thur. 9AM – 1PM |
|
| Jericho Road | 1021 Broadway St. | 14212 | Mon-Fri. 8:30AM-5PM Sat. 9AM-12PM |
|
| Jericho Road | 184 Barton St. | 14213 | Mon-Fri. 8AM-6PM Sat. 9AM-12PM |
|
| Conducted by Jericho Road | Variable Community Locations | Variable Community Locations | Variable Hours | |
| Kaleida | 28 Best St. | 14215 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
|
| Kaleida | 1187 East Delevan St. | 14215 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
|
| Kaleida | 100 High St. | 14203 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
|
| Kaleida | 1001 Main St. | 14203 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
|
| Neighborhood Health Center | Mattina | 300 Niagara St. | 14201 | Mon-Fri. 12:30 PM-1:30 PM |
| Neighborhood Health Center | NHC Blasdell | 4233 Lake Ave. | 14219 | Mon-Fri. 3PM – 4PM |
| Urban Family Practice | 564 Niagara St. | 14201 | Nasal Swab: Mon.-Fri. 9AM-11AM (Niag. St.) IgG Blood: |
|
| Urban Family Practice | 1315 Jefferson Ave. | 14208 | Nasal Swab: Tues./Thurs. 1PM-4pm (Jefferson) IgG Blood: |
|
| Urban Family Practice | Mobile Medical Unit | Variable Community Locations | Variable Hours | |
| WILLIAMSVILLE | Kaleida | 2100 Wehrle Dr. | 14221 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
| Kaleida | 1540 Maple Rd. | 14221 | Mon-Fri. Variable Hours |
About the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center with 573 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, as well as a regional center for burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, medical oncology and head & neck cancer care, rehabilitation and a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences – the difference between healthcare and true care™.