Access to Services

The Foundation for Community Health found in it assessment of needs, that access was the issue that impacted all other identified health needs. According to our provider survey, the number one suggestion for improving healthcare was to offer transportation to and from services. In addition, providers identified a lack of knowledge of available services, a lack of financial resources to pay for services, a lack or shortage of providers, particularly those accepting Medicaid, and some cultural and language barriers.

Access to Services Initiative

Transportation

The factors affecting access to health services can vary from person to person, but aggregately, the main barrier to accessing services in the Foundation’s catchment area was transportation. Transportation is an issue whether or not the service is offered locally or 50 miles away. For seniors living in rural communities, transportation is often a critical determinant of health and quality of life. The transportation provided within the Foundation’s communities comprise a patchwork of government, quasi-government, private enterprise, nonprofit social service organizations and volunteer run services. The Foundation is interested in working with these ‘providers’ and seniors to strengthen communication and coordination of these services, and to support collaborative efforts which result in increased services tailored to the needs of this community. Another important aspect of transportation is emergency medical transportation and the need to support the existing primarily volunteer services which serve our rural communities.

Lack of Knowledge of Resources and Services

It has been indicted by the provider survey and validated by the focus groups that many providers and consumers are not aware of services currently available to them. Even INFOLINE’s 211 helpline was unfamiliar to local Connecticut providers and residents in spite of the fact that it has been in place for several years. Dutchess County is just starting a 211 service also which will hopefully include a big push to publicize the number once the mechanics of it have all been worked out. The Foundation will support efforts to improve the awareness of existing services.

Costs of services/Inability to pay

According to the Foundation’s survey, providers were also concerned about how to improve access to healthcare in their communities while still covering their operating costs. It is often the case in rural areas where the need may exist for services but the minimum volume of patients or consumers needed to support them does not. This results in higher costs per visit or worse, no local services at all as providers are difficult to recruit into the area. Second to transportation, and assuming that one was aware of available services, providers indicated the inability to cover costs was a primary barrier to accessing services for their clients. Designing and providing accessible quality services in rural areas demands creativity and collaboration and the Foundation plans to be a catalyst for such activities.

Other Barriers to Accessing Services

Other barriers to accessing care include language and cultural issues. In the Foundation catchment there is a growing Spanish speaking population from a variety of backgrounds (many different countries of origin), some here legally while others are not. Children born here are automatically considered citizens and therefore eligible for services. Families in this scenario often do not get the assistance or services they need fearing deportation even when the child is eligible for services. In addition, each state has differing rules for accessing different programs not to mention different federal government program rules and regulations. The Foundation is interested in learning more about the local impact of these issues and in responding to ideas for ensuring access to health and social services for this population.

Access to Services Funding Opportunities

Letters of intent due June 9, 2008

EMS/Transportation Grants

The Foundation is working closely with providers of both emergency medical transportation and non-emergency health-related transportation to:

  • strengthen communication and coordination of services;
  • strengthen capacity to enhance and increase needed services.

The maximum award will be $20,000.

Access to Health Services Grants

The Foundation is seeking to improve access to quality health-related care and services, specifically for vulnerable populations such as youth, elderly, poor and uninsured. Examples include but are not limited to:

  • Direct service providers which could expand a program – for which there is an already existing revenue stream – with a one-time influx of funds for cash flow, equipment purchase, remodeling or some other time-limited, one-time need.
  • Programs which could be eligible for enhanced revenue and reimbursement if they participated in certain state or federal programs but have been unable to support the application process for those programs.
  • Collaborating organizations which are committed to developing new pathways of care for vulnerable populations but need support for the planning and redesign of guidelines, processes and MOUs/agreements.
  • Programs which could be self-sustaining through revolving funds or assured revenue streams but which need initial seed money to launch the program.
  • Programs that would change how care is provided and/or install quality improvement systems but which need initial infrastructure improvements and training to achieve the full potential of their investment.
  • Sets of organizations that, with capable facilitation and strategic planning, could work together - or even join together - or even join together - to minimize duplication of services and enhance effective, efficient care.
  • Programs that can demonstrate funding available to them from other sources but which need data collection or information analysis to access that funding.
  • Organizations or programs that have an innovative idea they are interested in piloting which they believe will enhance access. The “pilot project” would include a serious effort to evaluate its outcomes and efficacy.

The maximum award will be $25,000.

How to Apply

Providers interested in applying for this funding should submit a letter of intent by June 9, 2008. Letters of intent will be evaluated on:

  • Clarity of problem statement;
  • Relevance of the request to FCH’s priorities;
  • Operational soundness of the approach outlined;
  • Feasibility of sustainability after funding;
  • Appropriate balance between budget requested and project being funded

Organizations can submit more than one Letter of intent but only one project per agency per RFP will be funded. Invitations to submit full proposals will be released on June 30, 2008. Those selected should submit 3 copies of the full proposal by 5:00 on August 8, 2008 to the following address:

Foundation for Community Health
106B Upper Main Street
Sharon, CT 06069

Award notifications are expected to be released after October 6, 2008.

The Foundation reserves the right to reduce or expand the total amount of funding awarded and/or to negotiate deliverables, funding amounts and program revisions with potential grantees before awards are made.