Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
Fiscal Year 2025 Expanded Hours. - Project Title: Expanding Access to Urgent and Primary Care Services in West Oahu Applicant Organization Name: Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board, Incorporated dba Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center Address: 86-260 Farrington Hwy, Waianae, Hawaii 96792-3182 Project Director: Kathleen Page, APRN, FNP-C Project Duration: December 1, 2024 through November 30, 2026 Total Funding Request: $500,000 annually x 2 years The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) proposes to expand the operating hours of its two satellite locations, West Oahu Community Health (WOCH) KWIK Clinic in Kapolei and Waiola KWIK Clinic in Waianae, to enhance access to urgent and primary care services for the communities of West Oahu. The expansion aims to address the challenges faced by community members including long working hours, dense traffic, and limited childcare, poor access to primary care services outside of the work day. The project targets the residents of West Oahu, particularly those who struggle with accessing healthcare services due to demanding work schedules, high poverty rates, significant health disparities and other socio-economic barriers. The primary beneficiaries include low-income families, individuals working multiple jobs, and those with limited access to childcare and transportation. The expanded hours will target these needs by enhancing the capacity of WCCHC to deliver integrated, patient-centered care that is culturally responsible and equitable. In 2023, WCCHC served 35,495 patients with over 195,000 visits comprised of 48% Hawaiian, 12% Other Pacific Islanders and 16% Asian. 71% of our patients were at 100% and below poverty level with 60% of our total patients on Medicaid. The two clinics will extend weekday hours from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a total of 7.5 hours weekly at each site. WOCH KWIK Clinic will extend Saturday hours from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for an additional two hours weekly. Waiola KWIC Clinic will introduce new Saturday hours from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for an additional 4.5 hours weekly. Both sites will enhance patient support services through a “POD” system where patients can receive assistance with health insurance applications and other social services. In addition to the funding needed to compensate our providers and staff for these extended hours, we will be adding an Ambulatory Care Nurse to our team to provide health care quality support. Our health center transportation van will be available for follow-up appointments and formal interpreter services for language assistance will be available at both sites. The extended hours will increase access to urgent and primary care services and enhance integration of primary care services with specialists and provide a warm hand-off for behavioral health services to address mental health and substance use disorder needs of the community. The project will partner with local entities to facilitate comprehensive care for vulnerable populations and support the health center’s mission of community health improvement. WCCHC is committed to leveraging its established infrastructure and experienced staff, while enhancing and extending our outreach to our community to achieve these targets. By extending clinic hours and enhancing support services, the project will significantly improve healthcare access for West Oahu residents. The initiative will address critical barriers to care, promote health equity, and contribute to the overall well-being of the community. The project’s culturally competent care approach will ensure that services are respectful and responsive to the community’s needs.
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).