CHCN health centers were founded through struggles of grass-roots organizers who sought to develop health services for medically-underserved communities. The CHCN health centers continue to be rooted in these communities, attempting to improve access to health care and the quality of that health care to the members of their communities.
CHCN health centers are based in Alameda County, California, and have extended services to surrounding counties. The eight CHCN health centers which make up the Network, currently serve more than 285,000 people at more than 105 sites of care. All health centers also provide mental health, dental and preventive health programs. Each health center has a membership and eligibility department that assists patients in obtaining low-cost health insurance or access to government-funded health programs. The health centers are dedicated to providing linguistic and culturally competent health care services to their members. Among the services the health centers provide are: primary health care, prenatal, children's health, immunizations, dental, HIV-related services, health education and prevention programs.