Title
a. Approve and authorize the Executive Director of the Monterey County Workforce Development Board (WDB) to accept grant funds in the total amount of $152,960 from the Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance), to provide $130,560 to offset half the $5,440 cost per person for Community Health Worker cohort training for up to 48 individuals employed by Alliance-contracted health care provider organizations, and up to $22,400 for training-related operational costs; and
b. Authorize the Executive Director to sign the retroactive services agreement to receive the grant from the Alliance effective March 20, 2023 for the period from March 20, 2023 through September 20, 2024
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Board (WDB) to accept grant funds in the total amount of $152,960 from the Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance), to provide $130,560 to offset half the $5,440 cost per person for Community Health Worker cohort training for up to 48 individuals employed by Alliance-contracted health care provider organizations, and up to $22,400 for training-related operational costs; and
b. Authorize the Executive Director to sign the retroactive services agreement to receive the grant from the Alliance effective March 20, 2023 for the period from March 20, 2023 through September 20, 2024
SUMMARY:
Beginning July 1, 2022, the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services added a compensable Community Health Worker (CHW) Service Benefit to facilitate equitable access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. The Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance), an award-winning regional non-profit health plan serving members in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Merced counties, has established the CHW Service Benefit with contracting, credentialling, and reimbursement pathways for services providers. Demand for CHW training is increasing based on the new Medi-Cal initiatives. The Alliance seeks to provide grant funding in the total amount of $152,960 to offset half the cost of CHW training and cover in-person operational costs for up to 48 employees of Alliance-contracted health care provider organizations.
DISCUSSION:
Background:
CHWs, based on their lived experience and training, build trusting relationships and serve as a liaison between health and social services, Medi-Cal members, and the greater community. Known by many titles including promotores, community service aides, and health navigators, CHWs can provide a variety of Medi-Cal covered services.
The Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) developed a CHW certificate training program with Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) that is expected to meet the State’s Certificate Pathway requirements, with the possibility of being grandfathered in as an approved program. MCWDB’s program was established as a local industry-recognized credential that meets the minimum standards for foundational CHW training, endorsed by the Monterey County Health Department, Doctors on Duty, Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, and Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas.
The CHW curriculum was developed by national CHW thought leader Tim Berthold, founder of the CHW Training Group and author of a highly acclaimed CHW textbook. The CHW Training Group developed a trainer/mentor model, ensuring that students have engaging instructors active in the CHW field and a sense of community to support their academic and social needs. A key aspect of the training is that it is accessible and rigorous but does not rely on a multi-semester community college program, which may be prohibitive for some individuals interested in becoming CHWs.
The MCWDB CHW Certificate Training Program was successfully piloted with MPC as a hybrid online/in-person curriculum from October 2021 through March 2022, with funding from Blue Shield of California Foundation in partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The pilot program certified 27 CHWs.
The Alliance’s Proposed Support:
Based on demand, MCWDB and MPC are hosting a CHW Certificate Training Program in 2023 for two new cohorts of 30 students each, starting in March 2023 and October 2023. Training modules have been added responsive to recent Medi-Cal initiatives, including the new CHW Services Benefit. The Alliance’s proposed support of MCWDB’s CHW training program is an investment in a proven, sustainable model well-received by students and employers, and positioned to align with forthcoming State requirements.
If the MCWDB’s Executive Director is approved to accept the $152,960 grant from the Alliance, the funding will be used to provide up to $130,560 to offset 50% of the total $5,440 cost per person to provide CHW training to up to 48 individuals employed by Alliance-contracted health care provider organizations, and up to $22,400 to pay for food and logistical costs for in-person classes and a graduation/certification ceremony.
It is anticipated that a combination of WIOA funding and State funding allocated from MCWDB’s $1,150,000 Regional Equity and Recovery Partnerships (RERP) grant, provided in 2023 to increase enrollments in the region’s four community colleges - Cabrillo, Gavilan, Hartnell, and MPC - will be applied to fund the CHW training costs not covered by the Alliance.
CHW Training Numbers Alliance RERP & Total
Costs Cost Per to Grant WIOA Costs
Participant Train Amount Funding
Program $5,440 48 $130,560 $130,560 $261,120
Other N/A N/A $ 22,400 N/A $ 22,400
Total N/A 48 $152,960 $130,560 $283,520
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The parties to the Agreement were involved in its development. County Counsel has reviewed the Agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact to the General Fund resulting from approval of the Alliance grant and authorization to sign the services agreement.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Authorizing the Executive Director of the WDB to sign the grant agreement and accept funding from the Alliance will help the WDB to serve the Monterey County health care community more effectively by supporting the training and placement of qualified candidates and local economic development.
√ Administration: Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability and transparency.
√ Economic Development: Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
√ Health and Human Services: Improve health and quality of life through County-supported policies, programs, and services; promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Kaylor, Management Analyst III, 5385
Approved by: Christopher Donnelly, Executive Director, 6644
ATTACHMENTS:
Agreement for Medi-Cal Capacity Grant