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Network for East Texas Rural Health

Network for East Texas Rural Health. 2010 Outreach Program and Network Development Grantee Meeting Washington, D.C. August 2-4. Program Overview. Network formation Funding Hiring process CHW training Expanding the CHW program Evaluation, process tracking and data collection

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Network for East Texas Rural Health

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  1. Network for East Texas Rural Health 2010 Outreach Program and Network Development Grantee Meeting Washington, D.C. August 2-4

  2. Program Overview • Network formation • Funding • Hiring process • CHW training • Expanding the CHW program • Evaluation, process tracking and data collection • Challenges/lessons learned

  3. Network Partners • Piney Woods Area Health Education Center • Texas Department of State Health Services (Public Health Service Region 4/5N) • East Texas Community Health Services • East Texas Health Access Network (ETHAN) • Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission • Southeast Health Access Network (SETHAN)

  4. Service Area • The service area includes Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Red River, Sabine, San Augustine, Tyler, and the rural areas of Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties.

  5. Funding • Received Rural Health Network Development Grant 9/1/08 – 4/30/11 • Network partners contributed resources

  6. Who are the CHWs • They are carefully chosen community members who participate in empowering trainings so they can help promote good health in their own communities. • They are a strong link between their communities and health and social service providers. • Network (contract vs. AHEC employee) • Hiring process • Develop CHW job description • Recruit applicants to apply

  7. The CHW Training • CHWs trained • CHW sites educated • New CHW Apprenticeable Occupation

  8. Additional Funding • Opportunity to expand Network • Federal Social Services Block Grant awarded to state

  9. Process for site selection ABC • Identify sites CHW services can be utilized • Maintain CHW after funding ends • Advocate for CHWs • Contact potential sites to assess interest • Schedule meeting to present the value of CHWs • Finalize CHW hiring process

  10. Network Expansion • Burke Center Mental Healthcare • Cherokee County Health District (two clinics) • Head Start Child Development Center • Hope Project (FQHC) • Memorial Health Systems of East Texas • Nacogdoches Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council • Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital

  11. CHW Roles The CHWs work duties vary by employment location, responsibilities can include: • helping individuals, families, groups and communities develop their capacity and access to resources including health insurance, food, housing, quality care and health information; • facilitating communication and individuals’ empowerment in interactions with health care/social service systems; • helping health care and social service systems become culturally relevant and responsive to their service population; • helping people understand their health condition(s) and develop strategies to improve their health and well being; • helping build understanding and social capital to support healthier behaviors and lifestyle choices among people;

  12. CHW Roles • delivering health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts; • linking people to health care/social service resources; • providing informal counseling, support and follow-up; • advocating for local health needs; • providing health services, such as monitoring blood pressure and providing first aid; • Making home visits to chronically ill patients, individuals at high risk of health problems, and the elderly; and • Translating and interpreting for individuals and health care/social service providers

  13. Needs of Clients- ETHAN • Medical home • Dental services • Information and referral • Within an emergency medical situation • Medication assistance (MAP) • Managing Diabetes or chronic disease • Smoking cessation • Changing living situation • Health education • Medical equipment (Health Equipment Loan Program)

  14. Successes • Network formed • Network expansion • Piney Woods AHEC CHW instructors trained • Training site • Increased employment opportunities for East Texas • CHW recognized as apprenticeable • Coastal AHEC submitted to U.S. Department of Labor

  15. Evaluation, process tracking and data collection • Identify ways to better address the healthcare needs of the target population • ETCHNA • Uniform data collection forms • Demonstrate program successes • (“If it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen!”) • Identify areas to promote CHW professional development • Provides quality control • Help secure funding • Provides the necessary data to show the need, return on investment, and potential for improved outcomes

  16. Challenges/Lessons Learned • Under-estimating time commitment • Educating healthcare community on CHW capabilities • Integrating the CHWs into the work place • Surviving program expansion

  17. Janis S. Ritter, MEdCenter DirectorLurah Bryant, CHWProgram CoordinatorPiney Woods AHECNacogdoches, TX936-468-6901www.pwahec.org

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