Coversheet

Board Action Request
22-0154

Item Description:
Agmt A2211143 with the MN Dept of Health for funding of additional clinical, case management and enrollment assistance at NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, 01/01/22-12/31/22, $495,217 (recv)

WHEREAS, MDH is empowered to enter into this grant agreement under Minn. Stat. §§ 144.05 and 144.0742 and Minn. Stat. § 145.9269; and

WHEREAS, MDH is in need of distribution of grants to Federally Qualified Health Centers operating in Minnesota to support services to low income population groups; and

WHEREAS, the vision of MDH is for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving and all people have what they need to be healthy. Health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain their health potential. NorthPoint agrees, where applicable, to perform its work with advancing health equity as a goal; and

WHEREAS, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center represents that it is duly qualified and will perform all the duties described in this grant agreement to the satisfaction of MDH. NorthPoint agrees to minimize administrative costs as a condition of this grant agreement pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 16B.98, subd 1.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center accepts the FQHC Grant with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to increase access to healthcare services for low income and minority populations through the addition of expanded hours at the Northside Teen Clinic, intensive obstetrics care coordination, expanded health insurance enrollment assistants, and expanded medical clinic care coordination; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Agreement A2111114 with the Minnesota Department of Health to provide funding to NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center for dental education and training, during the period January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, in the receivable amount of $495,217 be approved; and that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to receive and disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.


Background: Northside Teen Clinic expanded hours NorthPoint operates the Northside Teen Clinic (NTC) one afternoon a week on Tuesdays from 3 PM – 6 PM, at the Plymouth Youth Center (PYC) schoolbased clinic. In 2014, NorthPoint first used the FQHC subsidy to expand the NTC to four days a week, Monday Thursday. NorthPoint will continue using the subsidy to maintain the added hours. Services include birth control, testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and free safer sex supplies for individuals up to age 21. Services are open to the public. In 2020 because of the impact of the Covid19 pandemic the Teen clinic was closed temporarily due to the mandatory state shutdown at the start of pandemic. We have reopened for physical appointments and we made telehealth visits an option for all patients and have been able to provide telehealth services to all patients throughout the pandemic. The regular clinic hours before 3pm are only for PYC and Minneapolis North High School enrolled students. Nearly all visits are covered by insurance or patients are eligible for MFPP (state Medicaid waiver for family planning). Costs incurred include clinician and medical assistant staff time. It is estimated that 250 low income students will be served through the expansion of hours from January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022. Obstetrics Care Coordination (OBCC) The Obstetrics Care Coordination, previously Healthy Start will add dedicated 1.00 FTE Social Worker, Senior Psych staff time to provide case management and wraparound services for atrisk mothers. Services include but are not limited to early intervention, case management, pregnancy and child development education, support services and more. Program costs support salaries and benefits for staff. NorthPoint estimates at least 1,500 patients will be served during the grant term January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022. Financial Case Aides NorthPoint will dedicate 3 FTE staff to the Financial Case Aide program to ensure that patients have assistance in applying for and enrolling in publicly funded health care programs. Assistance with the use of MNSure is now an activity performed by Financial Case Aides as well. Financial Case Aides will: Screen patients for eligibility Assist in the completion of the health care application (HCAPP), including verifying necessary information, checking case status, collaborating with human services representatives to facilitate completion of applications, conducting follow up with patients as necessary Serve as a referral source for needs that cannot be met by health care programs, including, but not limited to, cash assistance, food support and emergency programs. Program costs covers salaries and benefits. NorthPoint estimates that 16,000 individuals will be served between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Medical Clinic Care Coordination NorthPoint proposes to dedicate .98 FTE health coaching to patients with chronic health conditions. This includes intakes, lifestyle assessments, patient education and counseling, and connection to resources to meet needs not normally covered by medical clinics. The care coordination staff work alongside the patient’s care team to create wide ranging treatment plan and provide consultation service/education related to the various social determinants of health. A component of the care coordination is health coaching support for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension to better support lifestyle changes that are needed to achieve health goals. Program costs covers salaries and benefits. NorthPoint estimates at least 350 patients will be served during the grant term January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022.


Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval