Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program - PRIDE project Abstract HRSA 23-036 Applicant Organization Information: Tennessee Tech University, 1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN 38505 Public state funded university, https://www.tntech.edu Designated Project Director Information: Jennifer L. Mabry, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, (931)-261-4308, jmabry@tntech.edu Project Track: Advancing Health Equity Track (AHE) Network Planning Grant Project PRIDE project-Professional network collaboration for Rural healthcare Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Legislative Aims: These align with AHE aims-specifically aim #1 to Achieve efficiencies and Aim #3: Aim #1-Achieve Efficiencies to expand and coordinate access to rural health services for sexual and mental healthcare within the network members to the population of focus (minority persons of color and LGBTQIA+) to promote health equity. • Identify additional collaborating network members within community and university during planning process • update university and health intake forms to ensure these are inclusive of persons of color and LGBT identities (including chosen name and pronouns) and experiences (such as sexual health). • develop plan to increase the health services workforce through collaboration with HCP’s within network and shared resource usage • Identify opportunities for the network to address health needs of minorities within people of color and LGBTQIA+ populations • Evaluate the current health service programs and services, including mental health access, and update wherever needed to make sure these offerings are minority and LGBT-inclusive and affirming Aim #2-Create and educate faculty/staff/personnel on cultural competency for diverse populations to include persons of color and LGBTQIA+ for those involved in network • Provide a welcoming environment for minorities of color and sexual orientation within the University Health Services to strengthen the rural health care system. Aim #3-Strengthen rural health system to include people of color and LGBTQIA+ minorities by encouraging collaboration between network providers. Focus Area PRIDE project focus area is to achieve efficiencies by expanding sexual and mental health services to improve health outcomes of minority populations of people of color and those who identify as LGBTQIA+ in Tennessee Tech University Health services. Proposed service region State: Tennessee Cities: Nashville (suburban) and Cookeville (rural). 2/3rds of the network membership is within the rural census track. Both regions are designated as HPSA shortage areas for mental health, primary care and MUA’s Counties: The University draws from 23 counties within the state of TN. The largest percentage is from Putnam County FIPS code 47141000800 (fully rural) where the university health services is located. The services to be provided will be within Putnam County, TN. See attached HPSA data. Population to be served: The Professional network collaboration for Rural Healthcare Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity (PRIDE) Project is a network of healthcare clinicians, community and academic leaders, and nonprofit organizations working together to improve the health outcomes of rural and underserved Tennesseans. The target population includes people between the ages of 18 and 24 who are disadvantaged due to socioeconomic or minority status, and those who identify with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) people collectively. According to the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center (2021) about 4% of patients seen in healthcare centers?are part of the LGBTQIA+ population which comprises?all races, religions, ages, and backgrounds.? The United States Preventative Services Task Force (O`Brien, 2020) notes a significant heterogeneity in health outcomes for minority racial, sexual, gender, and ethnic groups. LGBTQIA+ patients report discrimination when seeking healthcare and therefore avoid these encounters within their communities (Castellucci, 2020)
