Flathead County has received $42,645 in Health Center Quality Improvement Grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The money, part of $331,449 given to 15 health centers in Montana, is intended to “recognize health center quality improvement achievements and invest in ongoing quality improvement activities.”

The Flathead Community Health Center got $18,823 for being a “clinical quality improver.” That means the center was rewarded for showing at least a 10 percent improvement in clinical quality measures.

Another $23,823 was awarded because Flathead is a “health center quality leader.”

This means it finished in the top 30 percent of all health centers that achieved the best overall clinical outcomes. Just three of the 15 Montana health centers got money in this category. The Lincoln County Community Health Center in Libby and the Montana Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Council in Billings were the other two recipients.

Flathead received the second largest grant, behind only Libby, which took in $46,313 in three categories.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said the money was a reward for the health centers.

“This funding rewards Montana health centers that have a proven track record in clinical quality improvement, which translates to better patient care, and it allows them to expand and improve their systems and infrastructure to bring the highest quality primary care services to the communities they serve,” she said in a news release.

“With these funds, health centers in Montana will continue to provide access to high quality, comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the patients that need it the most.”

In Montana, 17 community health centers provide care to more than 97,000 patients.