Kansas Healthcare Collaborative - Kansas Healthcare Collaborative

Community Health Worker Teams Initiative

Community Health Worker

Teams Initiative

Overview

The Kansas Healthcare Collaborative (KHC), in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), worked with clinics interested in embedding teams of Community Health Workers (CHW) at clinics in any county in Kansas.

Background:

Recent research shows employing CHWs can:

Improve health outcomes
Increase patient satisfaction
Reduce costs
Reduce health disparities.

CHW teams will work to provide greater access to COVID 19 prevention and response while addressing chronic diseases and access to social determinants of health that exacerbate COVID 19.

Community Health Workers

A CHW is a frontliner worker that is a trusted member of the community in which they work. They are a trusted liaison to link individuals with services to improve health quality. A CHW is a resource to provide education, support and advocacy between the health system, social services, and community resources.

Eligibility:The ideal clinics must have an innovative spirit. Having a National Diabetes Prevention Program in place is preferred but not required.

Clinic Benefits

Funding for up to (5) fulltime staff positions dedicated 100% to the team
- One Program Director, Health Navigator, Home Health Nurse
- Two Community Health Workers
KDHE will consider teams of fewer than five team members for communities who may not be able to support a five-person team
Funding to cover necessary supplies, training, and travel for staff
Technical support from KHC and KDHE Staff to establish clinic workflow, data collection, and supplemental training
Training to support CHWs, delivery of National Diabetes Prevention and Healthy Heart Ambassador, Self-Monitored Blood Pressure Program scheduled as soon as CHW Teams are hired.
Sustainability planning and support

Clinic Responsibilities

Integration of the CHW team into the clinic workflow
Participation in COVID 19 prevention and response events in the community
Implementation of National Diabetes Prevention Program and Healthy Heart Ambassador, Self-Monitored Blood Pressure Program
Space for team to meet with patients and conduct classes
Completion of necessary data reporting and success stories collection including requested demographic information on program participants
Regular meetings with KHC and KDHE staff for ongoing technical assistance and quality improvement
Clinics are expected to begin setting up CHW team immediately upon acceptance of offer.

Resources

KDHE Community Health Worker Teams

https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/1770/Community-Health-Workers

Kansas CHW Coalition

https://kschw.org/

CDC Community Health Workers

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/center/community-health-worker-resources.html

Health Equity

Health Equity

It's at the heart of what we do

KHC is committed to centering our work, partnerships and programs in health equity. Health Equity is at the heart of the work we do and the work we hope to do in the future.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) provides the following definition: “Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care."

KHC KDHE Community Health Worker Teams Initiative

KHC, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), provides hands-on technical assistance to primary care embedded teams of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kansas. CHW teams work to provide greater access to COVID 19 prevention and response while addressing chronic diseases and social determinants of health that exacerbate both acute and chronic illness.

Learn More About KHC CHW Teams Initiative

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requires all hospitals to comply with reporting on health equity commitment and SDOH screenings. To help hospitals educate team members and their boards, the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative and Kansas Hospital Association have developed a regulatory requirements fact sheet outlining these requirements. Additional health equity and SDOH resources may be found on the KHA website.

Download KHA KHC "Regulatory Requirements related to Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health"

KHC has offered a number of educational events related to health equity. Visit the Health Equity/Disparities Topic Section of KHC's Education Archive for event recordings and resources related to health equity and SDOH.

KHC and KFMC Health Improvement Partners have a unique partnership that focuses on providing health care professionals, organizations and communities with the knowledge, tools and inspiration they need to address health disparities and foster equitable health care solutions through education, trainings and resources. KFMC’s website hosts a Health Equity Resource Hub developed by multiple Kansas health equity stakeholders providing resources and guidance.

KFMC hosts the annual Kansas Health Equity Summit held each fall. KHC is proud to partner with and participate in the Kansas Health Equity Summit, convening a diverse gathering of health care professionals, policymakers, community leaders, advocates and individuals, all committed to advancing health equity on at both the local and state level.

Other Helpful Health Equity Resources

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Advancing Health Equity in Rural America Report

Exploring Strategies to Improve Health and Equity in Rural Communities Report

National Rural Health Resource Center Health Equity Toolkit

RHIhub Health Equity Toolkit