When Jon Jennings was hired as city manager of Portland, he made clear that he intended to evaluate everything the city does, with an eye toward “right-sizing” municipal government. His goals are: 1) to achieve efficiencies and increased productivity by better delivering those essential services that can be supplied only by the city; 2) to reduce costs; and 3) to improve customer service.

Portland Community Health Center (PCHC) is partnering with the Portland Recovery Community Center to offer a multi-disciplinary treatment program for people who are suffering from addiction, also known as substance use disorder. PCHC is one of only four organizations in Maine to be awarded funds by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to improve and expand the delivery of substance use disorder services in health centers.

Portland Community Health Center is part of a statewide network of 20 federally qualified health centers, which provide comprehensive, high-quality primary and preventive care to about 200,000 Maine people (or 1 in every 7)

The city of Portland recently announced a proposed budget initiative that includes closing the city-funded India Street Public Health Clinic and reallocating city resources to support other essential public health functions, while moving many direct clinical services to Portland Community Health Center, an existing nonprofit funded by the federal government.