Health Group to Get Grant to Buy 2 Vans
Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar) will present the Northeast Valley Health Corp. with a $17,200 state grant today to help purchase vans that will transport HIV patients to its clinic.
The health corporation needed the money to receive $86,000 from a state program called Caltrans 5310, which requires organizations to provide a 20% matching grant.
“We contacted Assemblyman Cardenas and he got the $17,200 from the state budget,” said Helen Arriola, a health corporation spokeswoman.
There are about 7,340 San Fernando Valley residents with HIV, according to Los Angeles County Department of Health Services statistics. Many have no way of getting to clinics for medical attention, officials said.
“Transportation is a critical issue for HIV patients and clients,” said Kimberly Wyard, chief executive officer for the Northeast Valley Health Corp.
The health corporation is the only provider of door-to-door transportation in the region, Wyard said, and the grant money will be used to buy two new vans.
Cardenas will present the clinic with the check at a ceremony today at 9 a.m. at the health corporation’s HIV clinic at 8215 Van Nuys Blvd.
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