Northeast Health & Wellness Center

Project Update 

October 2020 

Staff is working with advisory committees and potential partners and expect to bring a project plan for the Northeast Health & Wellness Center to the Central Health Board of Managers in January 2021. The project plan will include: 

1. Specifics on initial programs and services 

1. Proposed construction budget 

1. Estimated timelines and milestones 

September 2020 

The Central Health Board of Managers directed staff to analyze existing information to understand exact needs of Central Health’s covered population, including MAP/MAP BASIC members living in Northeast Travis County (including Colony Park). View preliminary findings in the Data section below.  

Based on this analysis, the initial recommendation of staff is to include comprehensive primary care, integrated behavioral health care, and pharmacy for the initial phase of the project.  Staff are evaluating other services such as telehealth for certain specialties, dental, and pediatrics to potentially phase in over time. Staff will share key findings with patients and community residents and request the potential health care provider to evaluate their own data and our service recommendations to come up with a financial model. Community and health care provider feedback continues to be incorporated into the planning process. 

Project Background 

In 2015, Central health formed the Eastern Travis County Health and Wellness Collaboration to address challenges in the area. In April 2018, Central Health, Travis County Health and Human Services and Austin Public Health opened the Northeast Health Resource Center at Volma Overton Elementary in Colony Park. In June 2019, Central Health and CommUnityCare launched a mobile health clinic two days a week at Barbara Jordan Elementary (6711 Johnny Morris Rd, Austin, TX 78724) and one day a week at the Turner–Roberts Recreation Center (7201 Colony Loop Dr, Austin, TX 78724), offering primary care, preventive medicine, vaccines and other additional services. On February 6, 2020, the Austin City Council authorized an interlocal agreement with Central Health to evaluate the suitability of the Northeast Health and Wellness Center within the Loyola Town Center of the 208-acre Colony Park Sustainable Community. 

Community Engagement 

To ensure community members have a seat at the table during the planning, research, implementation and evaluation of Central Health’s quality enhancement or service expansion projects in their neighborhoods, Central Health formed community advisory committees in early 2018. Members include residents, advocates and leaders, neighborhood association members, representatives of school districts, faith-based organization leaders, and elected officials. Advisory committees help us get to know, and connect with, each unique community – to ensure our collective work will impact the health of people with low income experiencing disparities in their neighborhoods. 

Central Health is looking for more residents who can join the Northeast Travis County Health and Wellness Advisory Committee. Meetings are currently taking place on an as-needed basis online/by phone. For more information, email: communications@centralhealth.net. 

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