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Project Name: Family Professional Partnership/CSHCN (H84)
Applicant Title: STONE SOUP GROUP
Abstract Text: Project Title: Alaska Family-to-Family Health Information Center (AK F2F HIC) Applicant Address: 307 E. Northern Lights Blvd, #100, Anchorage, AK 99503 Project Director Name: Mary Middleton, Executive Director / Phone Numbers: 907. (voice), 907. (fax) Email Address: xxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx / Website Address: www.stonesoupgroup.org Grant program funds requested: $96,750/year * 5 years = $483,750 Problem: Underserved families encounter numerous barriers to accessing appropriate health care in Alaska. Geographic barriers, severely limited infrastructure, and sparsely populated areas all contribute to high travel costs and chronic difficulty in recruiting and retaining in-state providers. Itinerant care is expensive, often sporadic, and experiences high rates of turnover. These factors result in disparities in health care and health outcomes. Goals & Objectives: Goal 1: Advance a well-functioning system of services in which families and health care professionals partner in health decision making. Objectives: (1.1) Provide outreach to community agencies and health care providers to send and receive referrals for our focus population. Increase number of families who have received information, education, and/or training by 10% from baseline by May 31, 2027, and increase the number of programs/organizations supporting CYSHCN by 10% from baseline by May 31, 2027. (1.2) Solicit feedback from parents of CYSHCN to Alaska’s system of services and raise awareness of the barriers to access health care. Goal 2: Seek to address health inequities and meet the needs of diverse and underserved families. Objectives: (2.1) Assist diverse and underserved families with information and resources in their community. Provide additional follow-up and ongoing communication to ensure families are connected and supported in their community. Number of CYSHCN and families from underrepresented/diverse communities trained to partner at all levels of decision making will increase by 10% from baseline by May 31, 2027. (2.2) Work with key partners and stakeholders to develop a Diversity & Inclusion Plan. (2.3) Working with partners, improve the materials available to families of CYSHCN to be accessible, culturally responsive and at an appropriate literacy level. Goal 3: Provide education and training for health professionals on how to work with parents and families of CYSHN. Objectives: (3.1) Provide information and training for professionals in every region of the state. (3.2) Local programs and organizations are aware of SSG programs and are able to make appropriate referrals. (3.3) Parents will share their stories with the medical community to bring additional awareness about CYSHCN. Methodology: Stone Soup Group will carry out the goals and objectives by (1) assisting families in making informed health care choices; (2) providing information regarding CYSHCN health care needs and resources; (3) identifying successful health care models; (4) developing a model for collaboration between families and providers; (5) providing training and guidance; (6) conducting outreach activities; and (7) employing CYSHCN families and health professionals. We will also strengthen and expand partnerships to maximize the ability of Alaska CYSHCN families to access comprehensive, coordinated, quality, affordable care. Coordination: Mary Middleton, Executive Director, will oversee the project, with day-to-day project management conducted by Lisa Bennett, Program Director. Project staff will also include parent and DDRC navigators, communications and outreach staff, and finance and administrative staff. Ms. Middleton and Ms. Bennett will also coordinate public and private partnerships. Evaluation: SSG will use a multi-faceted approach to collect, analyze and report data to measure activities and impact of the AK F2F HIC, including but not limited to surveys and Salesforce service and other data. The Program Director will oversee and monitor evaluation and reporting.