Monday, May 12, 2025
5/12/2025
Recruitment and Retention of San Juan EMTs - San Juan County, a designated rural region in the State of Utah, is home to approximately 15,308 residents, in which 49.9% of the population is American Indian/Alaska Native. San Juan EMS will implement evidence-based curriculum to enhance EMS skills in patient care with cultural competency, mental health and substance abuse. The evidence-based, high-quality curriculum implemented among San Juan EMTs will allow the department to better serve the citizens of San Juan County and enhance competency among San Juan EMTs. San Juan County Emergency Medical Services is a county government agency whose mission is to provide leadership and support to minimize the impact of disasters and other emergencies on the health, safety, and property of the citizens of San Juan County, their businesses and environment through a comprehensive, integrated emergency management program. San Juan County has statistically been one of the poorest counties in the state of Utah. According to the most recent US Census estimates, 22.6% of the county population live below the Federal poverty level, compared to the State of Utah at 9% below the Federal poverty level. San Juan is the largest county in the State of Utah. The county expands across 7,933 square miles where San Juan EMS responds to emergencies in the cities of La Sal, Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, West Water, Mexican Hat and White Mesa. Current US Census data estimates the county has approximately 15,308 residents in which 49.9% are American Indian/Alaska Native, 47.3% White and 5.8% Hispanic. San Juan EMS is requesting $182,426.10 from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services for the Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant to enhance technology and professional development of San Juan EMS staff and to enhance community relationships with key stakeholders, including tribal relations. This project will take place solely in San Juan County, Utah and will run from September 2021 to August 2022. This initiative will enhance training services, patient care and sustainability among San Juan EMTs. The project will focus on adequate training delivery and updated equipment to enhance cultural competence, mental health and opioid use prevention, and knowledge and skills among San Juan County EMTs. This initiative will recruit and train new EMTs to increase available responders for 911 emergencies and will build collaboration with community stakeholders and tribal partners. San Juan EMS will implement several strategies to complete all project objectives. This includes collaborating with community partners, seeking input from county mental health and substance abuse coalitions, purchasing innovative EMS equipment and delivering training and course instruction across online, video and face-to-face platforms. Interventions for the project and training curriculum will be implemented by the Project Director and Supervisory Committee through collecting data and measuring objectives. The $182,426.10 request will cover all the project start-up and implementation expenses and project assessment expenses for the duration of the grant and will build upon a three year initiative. We estimate that after our program implementation, 60% of current San Juan EMTs will complete the training curriculum and 50% of the students in the EMT course will pass license requirements.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).