Community Health - Administration and Advocacy

Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA) is the statewide association for Virginia's community health centers (CHCs) and similar organizations including nonprofit rural health clinics, community-based providers of primary care, and health departments providing primary care services. A community health center is a not-for-profit corporation located in a medically underserved area to provide primary health care to anyone seeking care. CHCs are community-based, provide universal access to primary health care, and are governed by a volunteer board of directors.



Types Of Membership - Organizational - All community-based not-for-profit organizations which satisfy the requirements to be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), are eligible to become voting members of VACHA. Such members are entitled to all privileges and rights offered by the Virginia Primary Care Association (VPCA).



Associate - Other not-for-profit or public entities which do not meet the above criteria for organizational membership, but provide related services in a manner that supports the overall mission of VPCA. Examples include free clinics, nonprofit rural health clinics, local health departments, and nonprofit hospitals.



Individual - For individuals who support the goals and purposes of VACHA.  Examples include health center board members and former board members, government employees (federal, state, and local), patients of member health centers, and the general public.