Enhancing Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON)
Background of the Project
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) spearheaded pandemic response efforts to mitigate COVID-19’s impact on vulnerable communities. Collaborating closely with community-based organizations (CBOs) and community leaders, Public Health launched two key initiatives: the Community Health Worker Outreach Initiative (CHWOI) and the COVID-19 Community Equity Fund. These initiatives aimed to close the gaps in COVID-19 outcomes, promote public health practices, and address inequities in chronic conditions and other health issues. By working hand-in-hand with community partners, Public Health ensured culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and services for the most impacted communities.
Rising Communities, formerly Community Health Councils, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health), will collaborate to pilot a new model called, Enhancing Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON) Program to extend these efforts. It aims to enhance the well-being of high-need communities by increasing awareness of and access to LA County services and resources. By funding trusted CBOs to hire Community Health Navigators (CHNs), the CHW SON program seeks to improve healthcare access, deliver health education, and provide essential service linkages.
Overview of the Project
Funding and Outreach
Community Health Navigators (CHNs)
Workforce Representation
Target Population
A Community-Based Organization is defined as a nonprofit organization within Los Angeles County that is representative of a community or significant segments of a community; and provides educational or related services to individuals in the community.
Rising Communities, as the lead fiscal agency, will administer the disbursement of funds to CBOs and coordinate with LACDPH to provide ongoing administrative and programmatic oversight of CHW SON.
System Navigation Framework
This framework aims to increase accessibility to essential services, assist individuals, and provide a supportive environment to address the needs of community members. The following outlines key elements and objectives of the framework.
Increase Accessibility to Services: The framework aims to bridge the gap between community members and vital health-related services. This includes health education, personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution, and connections to health and social services.
Assist Navigation of Complex Systems: CHNs will guide community members through these complex systems, providing personalized assistance to help them understand and access available resources. This support will be culturally and linguistically appropriate, ensuring effective communication and understanding.
Streamline the Referral Process: This framework streamlines the referral process and allows clients to receive the services they need during their first encounter with a CHN.
Empower Individuals: Increase awareness of resources to empower community members to take control of their own health and well-being.
Provide a Supportive Environment: CHNs will offer empathetic, client-centered assistance, creating a trust-based relationship that encourages individuals to seek help without hesitation.
Funding Opportunity
Eligibility Requirements
Interested and qualified Proposers must meet each of the Eligibility Requirements on the day the proposals are due. Proposers should address these requirements in the Proposal narrative sections indicated below:
Have 501(c)(3) non-profit status, a State Recognized Tribe that appears on the State of California’s Native American Heritage Commission’s List, or a Federally Recognized Tribe that has an office/operation in LAC or qualify as a fiscally sponsored entity or operate as a health system or clinic.
Have experience providing COVID-19 system navigation and/or community outreach.
Have existing peer outreach staffing and/or training infrastructure that can be quickly mobilized for this project and meet one of the following required experience options:
- A minimum of two years of experience in the last four years providing supportive services to the prioritized individuals/groups and are currently utilizing a peer approach to conduct outreach or provide services to people in these prioritized groups.
- Two years of experience with system navigation services.
Employ individuals with experience working with the special populations referenced in the Statement of Work and/or who currently serve in roles that support specific community initiatives.
Submit a timely proposal adhering to solicitation requirements that can be reviewed and considered for funding.
If selected for the CHW SON project funding, a background check and proof of insurance (COI) will be required before the project begins.
Informational Session
Rising Communities in partnership with LACDPH, hosted one information session to provide an overview of the Enhancing Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON) funding opportunity. Informational session materials can be found below:
If you have any questions, please email us at DPH_CHWSON@risingcommunities.org
INFORMATIONAL SESSION MATERIALS
Click on the links below to access the following CHW SON informational session materials:
If you have any questions, please email us at DPH_CHWSON@risingcommunities.org
Request for Proposals- Enhancing Community Health Work for Sustainable Outreach and Navigation (CHW SON)
Updates to Appendix E have been made to correct an error on year 2 excel sheet.
- To download Request for Proposals, click HERE (PDF)
- To download Appendix E: Budget excel template click HERE (Excel)
- To download Appendix F: Budget Instructions click HERE (DOC)
Submit the narrative proposal and budget excel files via email to DPH_CHWSON@risingcommunities.org with the subject line CHW SON Proposal_[Organization Name] by Wednesday August 14, 2024 at 4PM. Contact DPH_CHWSON@risingcommunities.org if you have any questions or concerns.
CHW Office Hours
For technical assistance on the budget template, please register below for a list of dates and times for upcoming office hours.