2024 in FQHCs

Counter-Intuitive: Rural FQHC Optometrists Earn $17K MORE Than Urban ($168K vs $151K) — ACU 2023 Survey

Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) 2023 Community Health Center Optometry Workforce Survey (n=37 ODs): rural FQHC optometrists earn $168K average vs urban $151K — a $17K rural premium. Average across all FQHC ODs: $155K. This reverses the conventional assumption that urban=higher comp and reflects acute rural-recruitment premiums (relocation bonuses, sign-on, retention). Average productivity: 16.1 patient visits per 8-hour day, with technician support yielding 15.9/day. At $202.65 PPS base rate × 16 visits = ~$3,242/day in PPS revenue — meaning each FQHC OD generates 4-5× their salary in encounter revenue. Useful counter-narrative for displaced urban candidates considering rural FQHC opportunities, and for CA FQHC executives recruiting in North State, North Coast, Central Valley.

Historical BHCIP Context: California Broke Ground on a >$5M Modesto Youth Behavioral-Health Center in June 2024

Correction (July 15, 2026): the CYBHI source was published June 12, 2024 and says the groundbreaking occurred June 10, 2024 — not 2026. California DHCS joined the nonprofit Center for Human Services to mark construction of a Modesto outpatient behavioral-health center supported by more than $5 million from BHCIP/CYBHI. The state said the facility would expand mental-health and substance-use treatment for children, youth, and families and enable service for more than 1,425 additional community members annually. Center for Human Services is not an FQHC, so this remains historical referral-capacity context for Central Valley health centers rather than a current FQHC award or 2026 construction milestone.