Thursday, May 15, 2025
5/15/2025
Fiscal Year 2025 Expanded Hours. - Traverse Health Clinic and Coalition (THCC) is seeking $500,000.00 in funding through the HRSA Expanded Hours (EH) grant opportunity to increase the hours of operation of its Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) site from 10 to 29 hours per week by the end of the project performance period. This site chiefly serves individuals experiencing homelessness in THCC’s Service Area. NEEDS ASSESSMENT: THCC has identified a critical need to expand the hours of our Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to better serve the unsheltered and houseless population. Recent patient satisfaction surveys revealed that only 25% of MMU patients found services available at convenient times, compared to 95% satisfaction at our main facility. This disparity highlights a significant gap in accessibility for our MMU patients. The current MMU schedule is limited to 10 hours per week. Additional hours are necessary to meet the needs of our growing houseless population, exacerbated by rising housing costs and economic instability. PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of this project is to expand the MMU’s hours of operation by 190%, increasing from 10 hours to 29 hours per week. This expansion will provide critical healthcare services to the houseless population without disrupting their access to meals and shelter. Specific objectives include: 1. Increasing MMU operating hours to 29 hours per week within the project period. 2. Recruiting and training additional staff, including a physician, nurse practitioner, addiction counselor, community health worker, and medical assistant. 3. Reducing non-urgent emergency department visits by providing accessible primary care and behavioral health services. 4. Enhancing patient satisfaction and access to care by soliciting ongoing feedback and adjusting services accordingly. METHODOLOGY: The MMU will operate on an expanded schedule: Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This increase will be phased, starting with an additional 10 hours within the first six months. Services provided include chronic disease management, acute care, preventive care, behavioral health interventions, and substance use disorder (SUD) recovery support. Locations will include emergency shelters, community meal sites, and supportive housing. EVALUATION PLAN: THCC will use a comprehensive evaluation plan to measure project success: • Conducting bi-annual patient satisfaction surveys. • Tracking MMU patient visit counts and emergency department utilization monthly. • Reviewing Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) to ensure alignment with community needs. • Adjusting MMU schedules and services based on patient feedback and board approval. IMPACT: The expanded MMU hours will significantly improve healthcare access for the houseless population, addressing major health disparities and reducing non-urgent ED visits. We anticipate serving an additional 500 unique patients annually, doubling our current reach. This project will also support broader community health efforts by collaborating with local organizations and leveraging existing resources. SUSTAINABILITY: To sustain the expanded hours beyond the grant period, THCC will: • Enroll uninsured patients in Medicaid or Marketplace insurance. • Seek additional funding from private foundations and donor appeals. • Utilize data from the expanded hours to demonstrate impact and secure ongoing support. COLLABORATION: THCC will continue its partnerships with local organizations, including TC Street Medicine, Traverse City Police Department’s Quick Response Team, and Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing. These collaborations will facilitate patient referrals and comprehensive care coordination. CONCLUSION: The proposed expansion of THCC’s MMU hours is a strategic response to a critical community need. By increasing accessibility and providing integrated healthcare services, this project will improve health outcomes for one of our most vulnerable populations
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).