A collaboration between the City, County and State governments, along with community leaders, was the start of community involvement in health care. A modest grant from then Governor William Milliken enabled the Community Health and Social Services Center to open its doors in June 1970.

Facing criticism from the community, Henry Ford Health System partners with CHASS to address access to care for the uninsured. CHASS contracts with HFHS for provider services. HFHS provides innovative access to specialty care for CHASS patients. 

The demand for services outgrows the capacity of the Vernor Highway facility. With support from the State and assistance from the Detroit Health Department, CHASS moves to a larger building at 5635 West Fort Street.

CHASS becomes a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) under section 330 of the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC).  As an FQHC, CHASS is able to increase access to primary health and dental care, along with behavioral health and wellness care, to residents of the community. Additionally, CHASS is able to expand job opportunities in Southwest Detroit by hiring additional staff.

With the success of its Southwest Center and the ability to provide primary health care with a link to specialists at Henry Ford Health System, CHASS received federal funding to open a second site in Detroit's MidTown community. The site closed in 2015 as a result of neighborhood transformation.

The LA VIDA Partnership was created under the umbrella of CHASS Center, Inc. in response to a need from the Latina community to provide culturally and linguistically specific services to domestic violence survivors in Southwest Detroit.  Using a community-based participatory approach to community assessment, three target areas were initially identified: family support, community education, and children and youth. All services were targeted to Latina victims of domestic violence with limited English proficiency and their families.  

The increasing demand for services, long wait times and an aging building infrastructure sparks the beginning of a Capital Campaign to develop an innovative, new facility. CHASS receives funding commitments from Henry Ford Health System, the McGregor Fund, Carls Foundation, Detroit International Bridge Companies and others. The capital campaign culminates with a ground breaking ceremony on March 4, 2011.

CHASS innovates the capture of patients medical information through implementation of an Electronic Health Record (EHR), a digital version of a patients medical history maintained by the provider. The EHR improves patient care by improving the accuracy and clarity of the patient's medical records.

On May 3, 2012, the new 48,000 sq. ft. CHASS Center opens. It is projected to triple the number of patients receiving comprehensive care and focus on preventive and wellness services. The new center will transform the visual landscape of the area and foster economic vitality throughout the neighborhood. 

Building on the success of the mini-markets organized by REACH Detroit Partnership, CHASS launches the CHASS Mercado, a seasonal produce market to provide convenient, affordable access to fresh fruits and vegetables for patients and the community.

Committed to engaging patients in healthier lifestyles, CHASS organizes its first annual 5K Walk/Run and Kids Race. Eighty percent of participants were CHASS patients. 

CHASS seeks, and obtains, recognition from the National Committee on Quality Standards as a Patient Centered Medical Home. CHASS is awarded Level 3 recognition, the highest level achievable. 

After 33 years as CEO, Ricardo Guzman steps down as CEO of CHASS, serving instead as a consultant to the CEO. Dr. Felix M. Valbuena, Jr assumes the reins of CHASS on January 1, 2017. 

CHASS is named a Health Center Quality Leader by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a designation reserved for top performing Federally Qualified Health Centers nationally. 

For five decades, CHASS has been committed to the overall well-being of the community, through comprehensive, accessible and affordable quality primary health care and support services. During 2020, we celebrate the ways we’ve impacted the lives of thousands and share our vision for the next 50 years.

Amid the challenges facing community health centers, CHASS reaffirms its commitment to preventive care for all with the launch of its 55th Anniversary Celebration and Giving Campaign; rallying community support for a mission that has kept generations of families healthy.