Thursday, September 21, 2023
9/21/2023
The Wyoming Institute of Population Health (Institute), a division of Cheyenne Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and the current Health and Human Services Navigator awardee in Wyoming will administer activities under this funding opportunity. The request of $1,474,677.00 for the 2023-2024 budget year will be used to serve uninsured people statewide. All Wyomingites will be able to access services, but specific emphasis will be placed on serving five underserved populations: racial and ethnic minorities, including American Indians and Alaska Natives, rural communities, Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and queer people, low income people, and individuals with mental health or substance-related disorders. We request the full award of $1,474,677.00. CRMC will work with partners across the state to increase knowledge and trust with local consumers. The key components of the implementation strategy are highly trained regional Navigators that provide education and enrollment opportunities throughout the state, strong relationships with partners, and a robust marketing plan to increase awareness of the Marketplace. An avenue that the Institute will implement during the 2022-2023 grant year is to offer partnerships a supplemental mini grant between $5000/$10,000. These will be competitive grants but will be available to fund local health providers wishing to become a Certified Application Counselor designated organization. Another mini grant will be offered to business and nonprofit organizations which will provide the opportunity for navigator staff to educate and enroll stakeholders wishing to add the benefit of health insurance. The funding will be supporting 10 full-time and 5 part-time, regionally distributed navigators. The Navigators will complete all required federal and state training, comply with all navigator responsibilities and guidance, carry out education and outreach activities across the state, and accurately report all work to CMS. Because 4 of the part time positions will not start until October 1, 2023, they will not be trained by this date, but they will be trained shortly after and certainly before open enrollment starts on November 1, 2023. Navigators will establish and build on existing partnerships to reach underserved communities across the state. Navigators will continue the strong partnership with Wyoming 211, a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive information and referrals to health human service organizations. Additional partnership with Certified Application Counselors Designation Organizations and those that serve vulnerable populations increases trust and reach across the state. The grant funds will help support outreach events hosted by our partners to increase the reach and trust among consumers. Lastly, marketing will be key to increase awareness of the opportunities for health coverage in Wyoming. CRMC hired a marketing strategist to support social media and local marketing efforts. The Institute has hired a marketing agency to handle digital, print and radio advertising. In addition to general information about enrollment, we will work with the marketing firm to pilot test specific messaging designed to engage Enroll Wyoming's five priority 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).
