ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS (CHC)
About Us
Community Health Centers of the Central Coast, Inc. (CHC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit network of community health centers serving the residents of California’s Central Coast. Conveniently located throughout San Luis Obispo and northern Santa Barbara counties, our committed team of healthcare professionals are dedicated to maintaining your health and well-being. We offer fully accredited Medical, Dental and Chiropractic care as well as Health Education and Specialty Care.
Our Mission
To enhance the health status of all people in the Central Coast of California, with special emphasis on the medically under-served, by providing accessible, affordable, comprehensive and quality healthcare services, through well trained professional staff, in strategically located health centers.
A History of Quality Care
Community Health Centers of the Central Coast began operation in 1978, in a small building in Nipomo California, with 7 employees and a part-time volunteer doctor. As of early 2021 we have over 800 employees in 31 state-licensed clinics, and provide more than 450,000 visits annually.
Our health centers are located in San Luis Obispo County and Northern Santa Barbara County on the Central Coast of California. Our patient population includes low income, uninsured community members with special emphasis on special populations such as homeless, school-based, migrant and seasonal farm workers, and public housing residents.
Our primary care staffing includes: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and OB/GYN Physicians. In addition, we have Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists, Optometrists, Behavioral Health clinicians, Chiropractors, Registered Dietitians/Certified Diabetic Education, and other ancillary staff. In addition, to primary care we have a variety of specialists that provide services on-site or through telemedicine.
CHC has extended walk-in hours at several health centers in Paso Robles, Arroyo Grande, and Santa Maria that include extended evening hours and weekends.
CHC has one on-site pharmacy at its CHC Nipomo Health Center that fills more than 50,000 prescriptions per year for our patient population. The Pharmacy is open Monday-Saturday.
CHC has been Joint Commission Accredited since 1998, and most recently Joint Commission Primary Care Medical Home certified since 2014.
CHC continues to grow as an organization and is proud to be able to serve the community by providing quality health care.
A Message from the CEO
Welcome to Community Health Centers. As Chief Executive Officer, I would like to thank you for choosing CHC. Our goal is to provide you and your family with quality comprehensive healthcare services you expect and deserve. We take great pride in the fact that we have been taking care of our neighbors here on the Central Coast for over forty-three years.
Our health centers provide comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, health education, chiropractic, and preventive services. We also offer mobile medical and dental services as well as healthcare outreach programs so that more people have access to quality healthcare services.
Whatever your healthcare needs, now or in the future, we will always be there for you and our community.
With warmest regards,
Ronald E. Castle
To learn more about the rich history of FQHCs that has marked the past 50+ years, you can watch this short video which was prepared in 2015. While some statistics are slightly dated, the historical overview of FQHCs remains accurate and informative.