Lakewood, Colo. – As the American Rescue Plan is implemented and funding from the legislation begins to reach communities in Colorado and across the country, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) visited a local COVID-19 vaccination clinic operated by STRIDE Community Health Center.

As part of the $1.88 trillion American Rescue Plan, approximately $60 billion was provided for COVID testing and vaccine activities. Specifically, Colorado received $131 million for community health centers to expand vaccine access. In addition, Colorado received $56 million to ramp up mobile distribution, increased sites and extended hours, and expanded capacity to improve vaccine availability, particularly to underserved communities. STRIDE is currently offering free COVID-19 vaccines with no appointment required at four different sites across the Denver metro region. 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, STRIDE Community Health Center has led the way in continuing to ensure safe, equal and affordable access to health care and telehealth services, including access to free COVID testing and vaccines. The American Rescue Plan is providing critical support for community health centers, like STRIDE, that have been so vital for our community over this past year,” said Congressman Perlmutter. “Thank you to STRIDE for continuing to play an important role in this pandemic as we work to get Coloradans vaccinated. I encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to help protect themselves, their family and their community.” 

“We are extremely grateful for Representative Perlmutter’s support in Congress to ensure vital funding for Community Health Centers like ours. We simply could not serve our patients or provide essential healthcare resources without passionate advocates like him,” said Allison Draayer, Director of Community of Care at STRIDE. “Advocacy for our vaccine efforts is also critical to our work in our health centers and out in the community. The more vocal prominent community leaders can be about the benefits of vaccination, the closer we can get to widespread immunity and protection from COVID-19.”

STRIDE Community Health Center is a 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a 30-year history of providing primary care and other health-related services in a community-based setting. Established in 1989, and formerly known as Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN), STRIDE provides affordable and accessible medical, behavioral health, and dental care among low-income, uninsured and underserved populations across the Denver metro region as part of their mission to provide high-quality, culturally-sensitive health services for each individual. Over the course of their 30-year history, STRIDE has grown from a single clinic into a large, integrated system with 18 health centers, including two School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) and mobile dental van.

During the pandemic, Perlmutter interviewed “Local Heroes” who were going above and beyond to help their community during a time of need. STRIDE Community Health Center was identified as one of these “Local Heroes”, and in May 2020, Perlmutter discussed STRIDE’s activities and COVID response with the Center’s Medical Director, Shaunti Meyer. During the pandemic, STRIDE was one of the first community health centers to set up free public testing sites as well as providing curbside Rx pick-up and telehealth services.

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