Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplace for Wyoming - 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 $7.5 million for the next five years ($1.5 million per year) will be used to serve Wyomingites statewide. All Wyomingites will be able to access services, but specific emphasis will be placed on serving five underserved populations: Uninsured and underinsured, LGBTQ+, low income, rural and frontier and Native Americans. We request the full award of $7.5 million. Enroll Wyoming will work with partners across the entire 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 and Medicaid. The funding will be supporting 12 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. Four of the part time positions will not start until October 1, 2024, they will be trained within two weeks of hire. 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 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 has a marketing strategist to support social media and local marketing efforts. Additionally, a marketing agency will 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. We are grateful to have been the grant recipient for since the inception of the Navigator grant, more than a decade ago and would be honored and humbled to be chosen to continue to serve Wyoming for the next five years.
