Through this proposal, Westside Family Healthcare (WFH) is requesting $925,000 for the 2023-2024 grant period. Serving more than 247,000 individuals annually, WFH has extensive knowledge and a long history of experience and success in providing primary and preventive care to diverse patient populations, particularly those living in poverty. In operation since 1988, WFH's mission is to improve the health of our communities by providing equal access to quality healthcare, regardless of ability to pay. WFH is proud to have been awarded the CMS Navigator grant every cycle since inception in 2015. WFH is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization receiving federally qualified health center (FQHC) status in 1994. WFH receives Section 330(e) and Section 330(g) US Public Health Service funds to provide services in each of Delaware's three counties and the special population of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers (MSAW) in Kent and western Sussex Counties. WFH operates five clinical delivery sites and one mobile health unit caring for more than 28,000 patients annually with nearly 33% of patients who are uninsured.
WFH proposes to expand outreach and enrollment efforts by deploying 12 FTE Navigators statewide. The program team will assist consumers in navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace, support Medicaid unwinding, provide education on consumer protections, and help consumers find the most affordable coverage to meet their needs. WFH will employ 12 FTE Navigators who will provide assistance in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. Nine FTE Navigators will be hired, trained, and certified by October 1, 2023. An additional 3 FTE Navigators will be hired, trained, and certified by January 16, 2024. WFH will hire Navigators who are proficient in English and the language that best represents the community served.
Funding through this application will support outreach and in-reach capacity in the targeted high-need communities of Wilmington, Newark, Bear, New Castle, Middletown in New Castle County; Smyrna, Dover, Milford, Harrington in Kent County; Milton, Georgetown, Laurel, Frankford, and Seaford in Sussex County. WFH will expand outreach efforts to reach an estimated 30,000 uninsured Delawareans by leveraging partnerships with hospital systems, trade associations, local government agencies and nonprofit institutions to reach those who remain uninsured and underinsured. Grassroots tactics will be utilized to disseminate information across various cost-effective channels like electronic newsletters and social media. Consumers will also have access to enrolment assistance at WFH's clinical delivery sites as well as at locations in the community.