Item Description:
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A2311860 with the MN Dept of Health for funding of State-wide asthma program that is connecting children diagnosed with asthma to needed healthcare services and community resources, 09/01/23-06/30/24, $63,000 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2311860 with the Minnesota Department of Health for supporting the work by Community Health Workers (CHWs) or other staff employed by NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center to connect children with asthma diagnosis to needed healthcare services during the period of September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 in the receivable amount of $63,000, be approved; that the chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that acceptance of grant funding for the program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
In November 2022 MDH contacted NorthPoint healthcare providers and indicated that the clinic is in a priority area for MDH’s asthma program. The program is described in this document: Asthma in Minnesota A Strategic Framework - 2021-2030. Zip code 55411 where Northpoint Health and Wellness is located and adjacent zip code 55412 are two of the five highest metro area zip codes for children’s asthma-related emergency room visits. MDH’s program is looking for effective ways to impact asthma control in these high-asthma ED visit zip codes.
MDH seeks to achieve measurable gains by increased follow-up with asthma patients to ensure proper inhaler use, to promote regular use of controller medications, and to recruit to in-home environmental assessments through the City of Minneapolis. With training and oversight, Community Health Workers could perform all these tasks, as-well-as helping with patient education and care coordination.
The tasks include connecting children newly diagnosed with asthma or who have asthma that is not well controlled ensuring that they understand information transmitted by provider and coordinating care between the clinic, schools, and other community programs. This will also assist with ensuring proper inhaler use and providing asthma-triggering information.
Hennepin County and MDH have a vision for health equity, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity for full health potential. NorthPoint agrees to undertake work to improve asthma control among patients experiencing disparate asthma prevalence and outcomes.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval