Seek help from the federal Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Primary Health Care. They assist appropriate organizations with the grant funding necessary to open community health clinics. Consult with professionals in the health care service provision field to get their advice, input and assistance. Obtain status as a "Federally Qualified Health Center" to maximize grant opportunities and provide treatment through Medicare and Medicaid.
Determine the specific sector of the population the health center will serve. This will determine the types of grant funding for which the center will be eligible. For example, specific patient populations include the homeless; low-income residents of a specific geographic location; migrant and seasonal farm workers; and residents of public housing, such as housing complexes for senior citizens.
Learn the specific federal regulations with which the health center must comply. Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations pertains to public welfare and the specific regulations grant-funded health centers must adhere to. These include financial and program management; property standards; procurement processes; reports and record-keeping.
Research the community where you hope to open the clinic. Examine the demographic and health status indicators within the community to prove the need for the health clinic; your perception of local need might not reflect the true need. There might already be service providers in the community, and if there are not, there might be a good reason for that. Speak with local grassroots organizations such as the Salvation Army, food banks, homeless shelters and government agencies to gain insight.
Find community support for your health clinic. It is important for local government agencies, existing health care providers, nonprofit organizations and businesses in the community to support the clinic.
Develop a strategic planning group to assist you in developing your strategic plan, timelines and benchmarks. You will need a group of enthusiastic individuals who can bring skills to the group, such as accountants, attorneys, fundraisers, marketing professionals, government officials and communications specialists.
Assess the spatial needs of your clinic, given the services you will provide. You will need a waiting area, consulting and treatment rooms and secure areas for administrative staff and record storage. The property you seek must be easily accessible to the community by walking or public transportation.
The property you find might require significant refurbishment to turn it in to the facility you need and to bring it up to federal, state and local building and health and safety code standards.
Develop a comprehensive business plan in addition to your strategic plan. You will need the business plan if you hope to seek other grant opportunities, philanthropic donors and loans.
Move forward only if your business plan and financial planning projections give a positive indication your idea is viable.
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