Ambulatory health care facility that provides programs and care to the indigent in a community. CHCs usually serve a catchment area that has scarce or nonexistent health services or a population with special health needs. These centers attempt to coordinate federal, state, and local resources in a single organization capable of delivering both health and related social services to a defined population. Although such a center may not directly provide all types of health care, it is usually responsible for arranging all medical services needed by its patient population. Also called neighborhood health center.