HERO IIII: Helping train EMS in the Rural Ozarks IIII - CoxHealth requests funding from SAMHSA for HERO-IIII: Helping train EMS in the Rural Ozarks IIII. The purpose of HERO-IIII is to continue recruitment and training to rural residents in Southwest Missouri. We will be adding Barry County to HERO-IIII, The goal is for recruits and trainees to become vital health care providers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through certification, and for HERO-IIII to continue to provide continuing education units (CEUs), for existing, active EMS personnel who reside in this medically underserved region. CoxHealth will continue partnering with Ozark Technical Community College (OTC), an accredited institution offering a Certificate of Specialization in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. HERO-IIII will add advanced training for rural-based staff through a new Paramedic Apprenticeship program and an existing Community Paramedics training program. CoxHealth is requesting $400,000 over 2 years from SAMHSA to strengthen and expand the HERO program. HERO-IIII will expand on the current SAMHSA Rural EMS HERO-III grant (Award No. 1H79TI086729-01) that is currently training EMS recruits in Douglas, Stone, Taney and Barton counties to graduate in May of 2024. The current class is vital in addressing the CoxHealth EMS staffing shortages in these counties and retaining EMS services in the rural community. Additional funding with HERO-IIII will expand existing and new advanced paramedic courses offered to existing EMS personnel in the rural communities served. CoxHealth, with its partner Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), will reach the goal through the following Objectives: Objective 1: By August 31 of each project year, HERO-IIII will recruit and train a cohort of 24 residents from HERO-IIII counties to become new, certified EMT personnel. Objective 2: By August 31 of each project year, HERO-IIII will provide over 800 CEUs hours of trauma-informed care education to 100 CoxHealth and partnering EMS agency personnel. Objective 3: By August 31 of each project year, HERO-IIII recruit and train 24 experienced EMS staff to become Paramedics or Advanced Paramedics. The HERO-IIII geographic service area includes Douglas, Stone, Taney, Barton, and Barry counties, which are all rural counties located in Southwest Missouri. The target population includes high school seniors, CoxHealth employees seeking job advancement, residents in industries experiencing layoffs and closures, and residents seeking career opportunities beyond the service-based industry. The target population faces higher than average unemployment and poverty rates, lower levels of education and lower median household incomes. They are living in rural and HPSA low income, primary care, and mental health shortage areas.
