Abstract
Problem:
A complicated dynamic between geographic, economic, and socio-cultural factors contribute to the fact that 1) not enough children are receiving recommended developmental screenings from a primary care provider, and 2) not enough children, adolescents and pregnant women are receiving preventative services and referrals for services proven to reduce the risk of developing adverse health issues. Risk factors associated with poverty, the geographic barriers of the rural landscape, and racial and ethnic disparities all create barriers to care for FAMILY's target population of women, children and adolescents in rural southwest Iowa, including those of Hispanic and Latinx ethnicity.
Goals and objectives:
The goal -to increase access to gap filling services (oral health, hearing/vision screenings, developmental and social-emotional screenings, and primary care) for women (including pregnant people), children, and adolescents in Pottawattamie and Mills counties. The key objectives of FAMILY's mobile wellness unit project include 1) Develop resources to align with service gaps in Pottawattamie and Mills Counties; 2) Execute a replicable service delivery model for delivering developmental screenings and preventative services to the target population. Desired process and program outcomes include increased partnerships and capacity to leverage partnerships, increased innovative strategies implemented, and increased percentage of referrals for service from the target population.
Methodology:
The mobile wellness unit offers a new, research-informed modality for FAMILY, Inc. to deliver existing and new evidence-based preventative services, screenings and assessments that align with the priorities of the Iowa Title V State Action Plan and the goals of the statewide chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, while advancing health equity.COORDINATION:FAMILY, Inc. will leverage relationships with existing coalitions for which FAMILY serves as the backbone focused on maternal health, public health, human services, and medical and dental providers and seek out strategic partnerships with stakeholders that represent the target population to ensure the project design is culturally and linguistically competent and that activities advance health equity.
Evaluation:
FAMILY, Inc. will work with the HTPCP evaluation consultant during year one and participate in the mandatory Evaluation 101 webinar. Quarterly, each FAMILY, Inc. program has a CQI team meeting with members from all levels within the organization to review their benchmark goals, data on progress toward those goals, and CQI initiatives and strategies needed to address any data points not meeting the benchmark goals. Formative and summative evaluative data will be shared with the health advisory committee, as well a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders with the goal of creating a replicable model that strengthens the system of care.