Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program - Applicant: Richland Medical Center Inc. dba Central Ozarks Medical Center Address: 304 W. Washington Ave, Richland, MO 65556 Project Director: Jessica Clark, Director of Operations (Interim) Target Population: COMC’s full rural patient population, with special focus on school-age children and high-risk adults. Camden, Laclede, Miller, Morgan, and Pulaski Counties in Missouri. Rural Underserved Populations: Low-income and those at or below the Federal Poverty Level. Goals and Objectives: Goal 1: Expand access to community-based health care services through the addition of mobile optometry and case management services throughout the rural COMC service area. o Objective 1a: Increase from 0 (2023/24 baseline) to 450 by April 30, 2029, the number of individuals receiving mobile vision services. o Objective 1b. Increase from 0 (2023 baseline) to 250 by April 30, 2029, the number of individuals receiving mobile case management services. o Objective 1c. Increase from 0 (2024 baseline) to 40 the number of community access events for all services held each year beginning 2026. Goal 2: Deliver health care services through a strong consortium, in which every consortium member organization is actively involved and engaged in the planning and delivery of services. o Objective 2a: By April 30, 2029, consortium participation will exceed 90% for all meetings. o Objective 2b: Comprehensive mobile optometry services will be provided at all partner school locations and COMC clinic sites (including special events such as Pediatric Community Health events) by the end of the project period. Goal 3: Use community engagement and evidence-based or innovative, evidence-informed model(s) in the delivery of health care services. o Objective 3a: Within 60 days of the end of each project year, complete an evaluation of community engagement and satisfaction. o Objective 3b: Within 90 days of funding, implement evidence-based and evidence-informed delivery of care models. Goal 4: Improve population health and demonstrate improved health outcomes and sustainability. o Objective 4a: Increase the number of patients that have had a comprehensive eye exam in the past year by 20% annually by April 30, 2029. o Objective 4b.1: Decrease the number of students having to repeat initial IEP assessments due to inability to access vision exams by 50% by the end of the project period. o Objective 4b.2: Increase the number of Head Start enrollments completed without delay by 50% by the end of the project period. o Objective 4c: Increase the number of case management services provided by 50 visits each year to improve health outcomes for patients served by the mobile unit improve health outcomes for patients served by the mobile unit. o Objective 4d: By April 30, 2029, the consortium will develop processes for achieving financial and programmatic sustainability. Evidence-Based Models: Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child; School-Based Health Centers; Mobile Health Clinics; PRAPARE; Community Health Worker Expected Outcomes: Expected outcomes of the project will be the development of a community-wide mobile optometry program. The end result will be long-term improvement in the quality of life for children, adolescents, and community members and improved health status. Capacity to Serve Rural Populations: COMC started in 1979 in rural Richland, Mo and is an NCQA-accredited Patient Centered Medical Home provider and certified Primary Care Health Home. COMC has strong partnerships in the community, including other health care providers and human service agencies. COMC has a comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health program, with experience providing care in the community setting. Funding Preference: A funding preference is requested under: Qualification 1: Health Professional Shortage Area. Qualification 2: Medically Underserved Community/Populations.
