Agenda Item Name:
Title
Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) contracts with the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Laura Guyer, PhD, MeD, RDN, and Community Partners and Engagement Consultants, LLC. for administration, training, and outreach.
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Presenter:
Claudia Tuck, 352-231-0058, Phyllis Marty, 352-681-3320
Description:
Contracts to implement the American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) funded CCHW program including project administration, in-person training, and community outreach and engagement to recruit and certify up to 20 individuals to serve high need areas within Alachua County.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the three contracts, authorize the Chair to sign and approve the budget amendment to move funds from personnel services to contractual.
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Prior Board Motions:
On August 9, 2022 the Board passed a motion to support the CCHW program for 2 years at $250,000 a year with American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) as the suggested funding source if allowed.
On October 25, 2022 the Board approved the Alachua County American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: Closing Health Care Disparities with Community Health Care Workers and Improving Health Care Communications ARP2021x013 for the implementation of the CCHW project and appropriated $500,000.00 of American Rescue Plan funds.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
$338,000
Fund 234.29.0064.569.34.00
Project #ARP2021x013-Closing Health Care Disparities (Cat. 3.14)
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Strategic Guide:
Strategic Guide
Social and Economic Opportunity
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Background:
The overall strategy of the CCHW project is two pronged; deploy CCHW’s to address health inequities and disparities, especially those exacerbated by Covid and improve communications to establish and build trust with those individuals impacted. ARPA funding is used to employ the CCHW’s and staffing for the needed administrative structure which oversees implementation. Employee recruitment will focus on employing individuals living in the impacted communities thereby directly addressing economic recovery from the pandemic. After receiving certification, these individuals will provide services to address health concerns, thereby improving overall public health.
A Program Administrator position, employed by the DOH via contracted funds, oversees the project and coordinates the activities of those conducting community outreach and engagement, tracks program performance and compiles data reports. The position also develops and maintains a Resource Platform to facilitate communication between agencies and provider networks, language assistance needs, transportation options, dental supply distribution, research and apply for grants to achieve a sustainable source of funding. The Administrator will also meet with the CCHW’s collectively to monitor performance and obtain feedback on the project.
A separate agreement between Alachua County and Community Partners and Engagement Consultants, LLC., supports conducting outreach activities and facilitates the recruitment of individuals to become CCHW’s. This contract will also provide support to the candidates during completion of their service hour requirements and coordinate with the DOH Administrator to assure project performance.
An agreement between Alachua County and Laura Guyer, PhD, MED, RDN, provides for training and continuous quality improvement of the in-person training curriculum. This includes updating materials to reflect ongoing community needs, ensuring that all training sessions apply best practice standards for health literacy and cultural sensitivity, and ensuring that CCHW trainees are comprehending the material in a manner to pass the certification exam. This individual is the lead in content delivery during all training workshops and coordinates efforts with Community Partners and Engagement Consultants, LLC. as it relates to utilizing skills attained during the training process.