CoxHealth requests $199,917 from SAMHSA for HERO: Helping train EMS in the Rural Ozarks. The HERO Goal for the one-year grant is to increase the number of trained EMS personnel in a rural region through recruitment and education; and retention of existing trained EMS personnel through improved CEU courses in Dade and Douglas counties in Missouri. HERO will serve 49 unduplicated EMS and EMS trainees.
CoxHealth, with its partner, Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) will reach the goal through the following Objectives. 1) By September 14, 2021, HERO will recruit 15 individuals and train them to become certified EMS personnel by August 31, 2022. 2) By February 1, 2022, HERO Program Director will purchase grant-funded equipment and supplies for training and continuing education units. 3) By August 31, 2022, HERO will purchase virtual training supplies and provide 2,528 hours of continuing education to 34 EMS personnel.
The HERO geographic catchment area includes Dade and Douglas counties in rural southwest Missouri. The HERO population of focus is high school seniors preparing for graduation, CoxHealth employees seeking job advancement, residents in industries experiencing layoffs and closures, and residents seeking career opportunities beyond the service based industry. Dade and Douglas county residents have higher rates of uninsured, more residents living in poverty compared to the state, and lower levels of education and median household income. The target population was selected due to the residents in these two counties suffering from a vast shortage in EMS providers, high poverty, along with being designated rural and HPSA low income primary care and mental health.
