Arkansas Foundation For Medical Care Inc

ARKANSAS HIT REGIONAL EXTENSION CENTER

ARKANSAS AWARE 2023: IMPROVING CHILD MENTAL HEALTH AND ENHANCING TEACHER SUPPORT - AFMC’S ARKANSAS AWARE 2023 IS DESIGNED TO IMPACT EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS BY IMPLEMENTING STATEWIDE INITIATIVES CRITICAL TO THE HEALTHY SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR YOUTH AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL SETTINGS. WE WILL BUILD ON CURRENT AWARE EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHILE FOCUSING ON THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. CRITICAL TO MAKING AN IMPACT IS SUPPORTING EDUCATORS AND OUR PLAN IMPLEMENTS A STATEWIDE TEACHER SUPPORT LINE WITH COACHING AND REFERRAL RESOURCES FOR ALL OF ARKANSAS’S TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF. ALL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES WILL DEVELOP AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIORS, AND PROVIDE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, AND RESILIENCE TOOLS SUPPORTING SCHOOL AND STUDENT WELL-BEING WITH ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. ON THE LEA LEVEL, THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ACTIVITIES ON THE EARLE AND MARION SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN CRITTENDEN COUNTY, AND THE SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHITE COUNTY. EARLE SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS ARE BOTH 95% AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LOW-INCOME. THE STUDENTS IN MARION SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE 55% AFRICAN AMERICAN AND 72% LOW-INCOME. SEARCY SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS ARE 47% LOW INCOME. BY WORKING IN THOSE 3 DISTRICTS, WE WILL BE REACHING OVER 8,000 STUDENTS. THE SPECIFIC GOALS OF ARKANSAS AWARE 2023 FOR THESE FOCUS COUNTIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: GOAL 1: INCREASE RESILIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING FOR SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH BY INCREASING ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE SCHOOL- AND COMMUNITY-BASED DIRECT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, TRAINING SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF IN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS, ENCOURAGING ENGAGEMENT AND INCREASING AWARENESS AMONG PARENTS, AND PROMOTING THE USE OF HEALTHY SOCIAL MEDIA. GOAL 2: INCREASE AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE SCHOOL- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES BY DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE ADVISORY BOARD TO SUPPORT AND INFORM THE PROJECT, CONDUCTING DISTRICT-LEVEL NEEDS ASSESSMENTS TO IDENTIFY GAPS AND NEEDS, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A PLAN BASED ON A THREE-TIERED PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL THAT INCLUDES SCREENING AND REFERRAL TO APPROPRIATE SERVICES, DEVELOPING A SCHOOL SAFETY AND THREAT/VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLAN, AND DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABILITY PLAN TO CONTINUE EFFORTS AS THE FUNDING ENDS. GOAL 3: BUILD ON CURRENT AWARE EFFORTS TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH BY CREATING A TEACHER SUPPORT LINE, DEVELOPING, AND MAINTAINING A MICROSITE OF EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR EDUCATORS, AND PROVIDING TRAINING IN THE STATE. OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN BUILDS ON ARKANSAS AWARE’S CURRENT EFFORTS TO INCREASE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR ARKANSAS EDUCATORS. A STATEWIDE TEACHER SUPPORT LINE WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) REFERRALS TO ADDRESS STRESS AND WELLBEING FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF. THIS HELPLINE IS A NEEDED RESOURCE TO SERVE ALL 261 DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE OF ARKANSAS (1,056 SCHOOLS) THAT EMPLOY OVER 32,000 CERTIFIED TEACHERS, APPROXIMATELY 40,000 OTHER SUPPORT STAFF, AND CLOSE TO 477,000 STUDENTS. IN THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN AMERICA 2022, ARKANSAS RANKED 47TH IN PREVALENCE OF YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS AND 42ND IN ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. IN ADDITION, ARKANSAS RANKS 50TH IN THE RATE OF STUDENTS IDENTIFIED WITH EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE FOR AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM IN 2021 (2.42 TO 1,000). ARKANSAS HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF TRAUMATIZED YOUTH, RANKING 48TH NATIONALLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH MORE THAN TWO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (AMERICA'S HEALTH RANKING, 2021). OUR STATEWIDE APPROACH WILL ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES BY TRAINING THOSE WHO WORK WITH SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE AND REVERSE THESE TRENDS.

PRIMARY CARE TRAINING AND ENHANCEMENT: TRAINING PRIMARY CARE CHAMPIONS

HEAD START INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

THE ARKANSAS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL CARE PROJECT STRIVE AIMS TO IMPLEMENT THE EVIDENCED-BASED COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS FRAMEWORK IN ASHLEY, DREW, AND PRAIRIE COUNTIES, ARKANSAS, TO ENHANCE THESE SCHOOLS' ABILITY TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING, IMPROVED HOME TO SCHOOL COMMUNICATION, AND SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. AT THE END OF THE FUNDING PERIOD, PROJECT STRIVE WILL RESULT IN STUDENTS' AND FAMILIES' ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTHY BEHAVIORS THAT REDUCE VIOLENCE AND DELINQUENCY AND BUILD A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUPPORT NETWORK TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND UPON THE PROJECT'S ESTABLISHED FOUNDATION. THE PROJECT PROVIDES SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS INTERVENTIONS, ATTENDANCE MONITORING INTERVENTIONS, BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE, LIFE-SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, AND PREPARATION FOR POST-HIGH SCHOOL LIFE. ACTIVITIES ARE COORDINATED BY SCHOOL-BASED SITE COORDINATORS WHO IDENTIFY STUDENT NEEDS, FACILITATE CONNECTIONS WITH APPROPRIATE SERVICES, AND MONITOR PROGRESS. REDUCTION IN SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS AN ANTICIPATED RESULT OF PROGRAM SUCCESS. OUTCOMES WILL INCLUDE IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND GRADUATION RATES, INCREASED ATTENDANCE, ENHANCED BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UPLIFTED STUDENT MORALE, STRONGER FAMILY INVOLVEMENT, REDUCED DROPOUT RATES, AND ENHANCED ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND LIFE SKILLS. THIS INITIATIVE TARGETS LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES IN ASHLEY, DREW, AND PRAIRIE COUNTIES AND EMPHASIZES COLLABORATIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT STUDENTS, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS, AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY. PARTNERS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN EXTENDING THE REACH AND INFLUENCING THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM WITHIN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. THE ARKANSAS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL CARE WILL PARTNER WITH AND LEVERAGE THE EXPERTISE, RESOURCES, SERVICES, AND FACILITIES OF HAZEN SCHOOL DISTRICT, PINNACLE POINTE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, POINTE OUTPATIENT BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, AND THE ARKANSAS OFFICE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH.

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE-IMPLEMENTATION

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE-IMPLEMENTATION

ENHANCED ACADEMIC DETAILING TO INCREASE IMMUNIZATION RECALL RATE

SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCE ASSISTANCE COALITION (SARAC)

AFMC'S PROJECT PROVIDES STATEWIDE OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN, UNINSURED PREGNANT CHILD-BEARING INDIVIDUALS, AND PARENTS FOR MEDICAID AND CHIP COVERAGE IN ARKANSAS. - ARKANSAS FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL CARE, INC. (AFMC) WILL BUILD ON OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH MEDICAID SERVICE DELIVERY ACTIVITIES IN ARKANSAS AND IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATE’S HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE AN OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENROLLMENT PROGRAM THAT HELPS PREGNANT CHILD-BEARING INDIVIDUALS, AND PARENTS ENROLL ELIGIBLE CHILDREN IN MEDICAID AND THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP) COVERAGE THROUGH OUR HEALTHY LIFE: ENSURING COVERAGE FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN AND MOMS (HL) PROJECT. WE WILL ASSIST WITH COVERAGE RENEWAL AND PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH GUIDANCE ON REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND ENROLLMENT STATUS AS NEEDED. OUR PROJECT GOAL IS TO ASSIST UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS STATEWIDE WITH APPLYING FOR ARKANSAS MEDICAID OR CHIP AND REMIND CURRENTLY ENROLLED INDIVIDUALS TO RE-ENROLL, ASSISTING WITH RE-ENROLLMENT AS NEEDED. THE PROJECT WILL TARGET CHILDREN UP TO AGE 21 FOR MEDICAID AND UP TO 19 FOR CHIP, PREGNANT CHILD-BEARING INDIVIDUALS, AND PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF CHIP AND MEDICAID-ELIGIBLE CHILDREN. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND TARGETED STRATEGIES WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WE WILL STRENGTHEN THE EDUCATION OF FAMILIES AND IDENTIFY CHALLENGES AFFECTING ENROLLMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LANGUAGE AND CULTURE. AFMC WILL MEET THE FOLLOWING PROJECT MILESTONES TO HELP US STAY ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS: • Y1, Q1: ESTABLISH DATA-SHARING AGREEMENTS WITH STATE AGENCIES, CONDUCT BASELINE ASSESSMENTS OF UNINSURED CHILDREN ACROSS THE STATE TO DETERMINE THE HIGHEST NEED, AND PERFORM ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH CBOS • Y1, Q2: EVALUATE EXISTING TOOLS AND RESOURCES, IDENTIFY GAPS, AND BEGIN DEVELOPING NEW TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION OF MEDICAID AND CHIP ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT • Y1, Q3: IMPLEMENT OUTREACH PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE IN HIGH-NEED AREAS AND ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS • Y 1, Q4: CONDUCT ROUNDTABLES WITH CBOS AND PROVIDERS IN HIGH-NEED AREAS AND REACH CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND PREGNANT CHILD-BEARING INDIVIDUALS IN MEDICAID/CHIP • Y2 & Y3: REFINE OUTREACH EFFORTS BASED ON CBO AND PROVIDER FEEDBACK, EXPAND OUTREACH EFFORTS TO RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS, IMPROVE ONLINE TOOLS AND PROCESSES • Y4 & Y5: ACHIEVE OVERALL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN NEW MEDICAID/CHIP ENROLLMENT, DEVELOP POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON PROGRAM DATA, AND ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF ENROLLMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGH LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT AFMC WILL IMPLEMENT A COORDINATED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENROLLMENT STRATEGY, LEVERAGING OUR MEDICAID SERVICE CENTER, ENROLLMENT SPECIALISTS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH STATE AGENCIES, HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS, AND CBOS. WE WILL PROVIDE TRAINING TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF MEDICAID AND CHIP ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION PROCESSES, AND AVAILABLE SUPPORT, ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY FOR BOTH URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. THROUGH TARGETED PHONE AND TEXT OUTREACH, OUR ENROLLMENT SPECIALISTS—LIVING AND WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES—WILL PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE, ADDRESSING ENROLLMENT CHALLENGES. WE WILL ALSO DEVELOP CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM THROUGH TRUSTED COMMUNITY NETWORKS. FINALLY, DATA ANALYTICS WILL GUIDE PERFORMANCE TRACKING, REFINE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES, AND SUPPORT CONTINUOUS PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. THE TOTAL BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE HL PROJECT IS $3,000,000 FOR THE FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE PERIOD. FUNDS WILL BE USED TO COMPLETE WORK PLAN ACTIVITIES AND MEET THE GOALS LISTED ABOVE. THE EXPECTED RESULT OF THE HL PROJECT IS AN INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT AND RENEWALS FOR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN AND PREGNANT CHILD-BEARING INDIVIDUALS. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE HL PROJECT WILL PROVIDE FURTHER LEGACY RESULTS THAT IMPACT THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE TARGET POPULATION: REDUCE NON-EMERGENT USE OF EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, INCREASE ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS, INCREASE ANNUAL PREVENTATIVE SERVICES, AND INCREASE EARLY AND PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC, AND TREATMENT.

PRIMARY CARE TRAINING AND ENHANCEMENT: TRAINING PRIMARY CARE CHAMPIONS

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE (PLANNING)

RURAL COMMUNITIES OPIOID RESPONSE (PLANNING)