More At-Risk Calaveras County Residents to Access Healthcare Thanks to $190,000 Grant from Health Net
Date: 01/09/25
The grant supports and expands the Calaveras Street and Hospital Discharge Program to enhance capacity and outreach for unhoused individuals
Sacramento, Calif., (Jan. 9, 2025) - Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), has awarded more than $190,000 in funds earned through the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), administered by the California Department of Health Care Services, to support Calaveras County Public Health in launching the Calaveras Street Health and Hospital Discharge Pilot Program. This pioneering initiative addresses vital gaps in health and housing services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, with a focus on hospital discharge transitions and street health interventions.
The Pilot Program introduces two essential interventions to enhance capacity and outreach for unhoused individuals in Calaveras County:
- Street Health/Street Medicine Program: Delivering medical care and essential services directly to individuals living in unsheltered environments.
- Navigating Local Housing Options: Providing navigation support for local housing options that can temporarily house Medi-Cal members transitioning out of hospital care, ensuring access to continued health and support services during recovery.
"Accessing quality healthcare in rural communities, particularly for those facing homelessness, demands innovative, collaborative solutions," said Amber Kemp, vice president of Medi-Cal strategy, execution and engagement at Health Net. "Health Net is honored to partner with Calaveras County Public Health and local organizations to deliver vital resources to underserved populations and drive meaningful progress toward health equity."
This program builds on the success of the Calaveras County mobile clinic van, which was initially purchased in 2020 to support rural healthcare access. The new grant will enable the continuation and expansion of mobile clinic services, addressing barriers to care for unhoused and uninsured residents while ensuring the sustainability of these critical services through local CalAIM Community Supports.
"We are very grateful to Health Net for funding this program. This grant will help us break the cycle of poverty and poor health outcomes that disproportionately impact unhoused individuals in our community," said Haley Graham, health education program manager at Calaveras County Public Health. "With the support of mobile clinic strategies, community partnerships, and sustainable programs, we are committed to creating a healthier and more resilient future for Calaveras County."
Calaveras County Public Health will spearhead this initiative alongside local partnering organizations, including Sierra HOPE, Calaveras County Health and Human Services Agency, Mark Twain Medical Center and the Mark Twain Healthcare District, with additional support from Anthem and CommonSpirit Health. Together, they aim to transform healthcare access by providing no-cost health and dental services at bi-weekly clinics, creating a referral network for social services and promoting the use of essential resources such as laundry and shower trailers.