The Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC) is one of five organizations chosen by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to lead the implementation of the State Innovation Model (SIM) within their communities. As the backbone organization for the Genesee Community Health Innovation Region (CHIR), the GFHC and its multisector partners are working to improve population health in Genesee County.
What is SIM?
SIM is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center initiative that partners with states to advance multi-payer health care payment and delivery system reform models in an effort to achieve better quality of care, lower costs, and improved health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries. The State of Michigan was one of eleven states awarded a four-year model test award, focused on implementing Michigan’s Blueprint for Health Innovation.
The vision for Michigan’s State Innovation Model is a person-centered health system that is coordinating care across medical settings, as well as with community organizations, to address social determinants of health to improve health outcomes; and pursue community-centered solutions to upstream factors of poor health outcomes. MDHHS is implementing the SIM initiative under three main umbrellas: population health, care delivery, and technology.
Community Health Innovation Regions
To address population health, MDHHS has funded five Community Health Innovation Regions (CHIRs) across the State. In addition to the GFHC’s Genesee CHIR, there are CHIRs in the Jackson, Muskegon, Northern Michigan and Livingston/Washtenaw County communities. CHIRs are broad partnerships of community organizations, local government agencies, businesses, healthcare providers, payers, and community members that collaborate to align and implement strategies to support population health.
SIM Priority Population
MDHHS has required Community Health Innovation Regions to focus on the SIM priority population of emergency department (ED) utilizers. The selection of this priority population is supported by the Genesee CHIR’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), adopted by Genesee County’s three hospitals and the GFHC. The GFHC and its stakeholders have defined this SIM priority population as:
1. High ED utilizers, or individuals using the ED five or more times in a year
2. “Inappropriate” ED utilizers, or individuals using the ED to receive care for conditions identified as typically treatable in a primary care setting; and
3. Preventable ED utilizers, or individuals using the ED who have not had a visit with their primary care provider in the previous year.
GFHC Clinical-Community Linkage Initiative
A primary goal set by MDHHS for each Community Health Innovation Region is to address non-medical factors that affect health, such as housing, transportation, and food insecurity, by supporting connections between primary care practices and community service providers, often referred to as clinical-community linkages. The Clinical Community Linkage Project is led by the Greater Flint Health Coalition, which has implemented a community “hub” model based on the early success of its Genesee Children’s Healthcare Access Program, or CHAP.
To achieve this goal of developing a functional clinical community linkage process, the GFHC has partnered with a variety of community stakeholders and institutions. These include, but are not limited to:
• Two local physician organizations: Professional Medical Corporation and McLaren Physician Partners;
• Genesee County’s six Medicaid Health Plans: Molina Healthcare, McLaren Health Plan, Meridian Health Plan, Blue Cross Complete, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, and HAP Midwest;
• Genesee County’s three hospitals: Hurley Medical Center, Ascension Genesys Hospital, McLaren Flint;
• Three community-based specialty hubs: Genesee CHAP, Genesee Health Plan, and Genesee Health System;
• The local regional health information exchange (HIE), Great Lakes Health Connect;
• A collective of community and social service organizations including: United Way of Genesee County, Catholic Charities, Carriage Town Ministries, Child Care Connect, Crossover Downtown Outreach Ministries, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department (GCCARD), Mass Transportation Authority, My Brothers’ Keeper, Salvation Army, Shelter of Flint, Valley Area Agency on Aging, and YWCA of Greater Flint.
A newly launched Community Referral Platform is providing one platform linking participating practices, community-based specialty hubs, and community service agencies to support the needs of patients. Working together, the GFHC and its partners will address the upstream socio-economic factors affecting the health of Genesee County residents. An initial ten SIM-designated patient centered medical home (PCMH) practices are included in the Clinical Community Linkages pilot phase launch that began in November, 2017.
Commit to Fit is an ongoing health behavior improvement initiative that seeks to mobilize employers, schools, residents, neighborhoods, churches, and the community at-large to support and utilize a common message focused on healthier, more active lifestyles. Thus, the healthy messages of Commit to Fit are reinforced throughout the community, across settings where residents live, learn, work, and play.
The campaign promotes practical ways to increase health and wellness through simple daily choices. The Commit to Fit plan suggests 99 easy ways to better health, outlined in simple tools the community, businesses or your school can adopt and make their own. It also urges proper nutrition, hydration and rest as realistic ways to sneak healthy behaviors into your life.
Available resources include free fitness and nutrition education classes, materials and tools for individuals and employers to promote and maintain good health, and an online health behavior tracking website to monitor your health and wellness goals.
The broad support for the Commit to Fit movement relies on the shared use of the Commit to Fit messages by all Genesee County/Flint organizations or groups that are working to improve the practice of healthy behaviors. Using the common messaging of Commit to Fit, employers, schools, physicians, neighborhoods, churches and residents are all “spreading the word” throughout the community and – together – Commit to Fit is helping to build a more active, healthy community in which we can all live, learn, work, and play.
In 2011, the Michigan Department of Community Health selected the GFHC as one of six local coalitions to expand prevention activities and empower local residents to make healthy choices. The Commit to Fit campaign supports this through a common message focused on healthier, more active lifestyles in Flint and Genesee County.
Since its launch, Commit to Fit has expanded to develop and provide a number of associated community efforts including: Hosting an annual calendar of community-wide health and wellness challenges, Commit to Fit Project Healthy Schools, Commit to Fit Smart Bites, and the Commit to Fit Rethink Your Drink campaign. Additional Commit to Fit developed resources include: the Commit to Fit Breastfeeding Toolkit, the Commit to Fit Physician’s Toolkit and the Commit to Fit Employer-Based Comprehensive Wellness Toolkit. These resources can be downloaded for free at www.commit2fit.com or requested by mail or delivery by completing a materials order form.
Commit to Fit is free to all Genesee County / Flint residents and workers. Visit www.commit2fit.com today to join the movement and access all the resources Commit to Fit has to offer!
Mid-Michigan Community Health Access Program (CHAP)
The Mid-Michigan Community Health Access Program (CHAP) is a community-based, family-centered medical home improvement program that works to improve the health outcomes of children and adults.
CHAP is a free program and is available to anyone in need, no matter the age or insurance status.
CHAP can help with:
Connection to resources
Health coverage
Lead education
Care coordination
Doctors’ appointments
Transportation
Getting MDHHS help
CHAP helps providers to:
Improve office efficiency
Decrease no-show rates
Meet medical home certification requirements
Follow-up on emergency department use
Create linkages to community resources
Educate on clinical best practices
Develop data reports on CHAP clients
Implement quality improvement projects
Connect with other providers
CHAP also works to create systemic change by improving quality and access to medical homes, reducing emergency department visits and hospital admissions, and improving health outcomes for clients.
Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program
The Greater Flint Health Coalition created the Flint Healthcare Employment Opportunities (FHEO) Program to assist unemployed and underemployed residents of Genesee County with obtaining training and employment in the healthcare industry.
Established in 2002, the FHEO Program trained its first graduating class in January 2003. Started thanks to the vision of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the FHEO Program has received funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation, GST Michigan Works!, the United States Department of Labor, and more.
APPLY NOW! Spend less than 5 minutes to be on your way to a career in healthcare.
What’s Included?
The FHEO Program is here to support you as you receive the education, skills, and experience needed to succeed in a career in healthcare!
Free Tuition: Credential training and required classroom materials are covered
Career Advisement: Support staff to help you succeed in your healthcare training and career
Supportive Services: Assistance with transportation and other services as requested
Empowerment Sessions: Guest speakers and FHEO Program staff present information on employability skills and other community resources
Job Development Assistance: Interview preparation, resume revision, application assistance, and employer connections
Do I Qualify?
For eligible participants accepted into the FHEO Program, training funds are awarded throughout the year and are based on local employer hiring needs, applicant qualifications, training availability, and the following criteria:
Resident of Genesee Shiawassee Thumb Michigan Works! service area and eligible for WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker or Out-of-School Youth Services
Demonstration of need or experiencing circumstances that make it difficult to focus on a career transition
A compatibility for a career in healthcare – clear criminal background, aptitude and capabilities assessments, healthcare career suitability assessment, and drug screening
Minimum age: 18 years old
High school diploma/GED
Veterans strongly encouraged to apply
Don’t Screen Yourself Out! Let Us Screen You In! Call 810-232-2228 for more information.
How Do I Apply?
1. Contact the FHEO Program at 810-232-2228 with your questions and to sign up for the next information session.
2. Get a step ahead, fill out your program application now.
APPLY NOW! Spend less than 5 minutes to be on your way to a career in healthcare.
AVAILABLE TRAINING OPTIONS
Entry Level Training Options
Short term certificate programs for those looking to jumpstart their healthcare career:
Certified Nurse Assistant
Health Unit Coordinator
Medical Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Phlebotomist
Sterile Processing Technician
Advanced Healthcare Training Options
For those individuals one or two semesters away from completing an Associate or Bachelor level degree:
Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Respiratory Therapist
Physical Therapy Assistant
Occupational Therapy Assistant
*Available training options are determined by local availability, training cost, and completion success rates. Training options are subject to change per the FHEO Program.
FHEO Program Partners
The Flint Healthcare Education Opportunities (FHEO) Program has been identified by GST Michigan Works! Agency as the lead healthcare service provider for the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Career Services (Adult and Dislocated Workers Program) and WIOA Out-of-School Youth Services.
The FHEO Program’s partner organizations make our work to assist residents with training and education for future healthcare careers a shared success by helping participants find sustainable careers while helping meet the needs of local healthcare employers.
The Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program is a new community- based project created to help local residents, families, and children make healthy decisions when they dine out. Commit to Fit! Smart bites and restaurants work together to identify and promote healthy foods and beverages and reward residents when they make smart menu choices.
Healthy Menu Options
A Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program representative from our community will work with restaurants to review menus and identity healthy options. Once these options are selected, participating restaurants will be provided with marketing materials to promote healthy menu items.
Community Rewards
When a community member visits a Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program restaurant and selects a healthy menu option, they will be rewarded with a discount determined by each restaurant. Community members will also be eligible for incentives by participating in the program.
Commit to Fit! Smart Bites Cards
Community members can pick up a Commit to Fit! Smart Bites card at participating restaurants and Flint Farmers’ Market cooking demonstrations. When a resident selects a Smart Bites program new item at a participating restaurant, they receive one sticker per visit regardless of the number of items selected. Each restaurant receives a unique Smart Bites sticker that helps track residents and restaurant participation.
Promoting the Program
The Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program will be showcased throughout our community, in the press, and on commit2fit.com, among other places. Restaurants will receive Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program marketing materials for in-house display, and Commit to Fit! Smart Bites program restaurants will be regularly promoted within the community- reaching thousands of potential patrons.
Perks for your Restaurant
The Smart Bites program creates business and expands your customer base and builds your reputation as a business that cares about its community and its residents. YOU will have a dramatic impact by helping families choose healthy and eat smart.
Get Started Today
Our community has the opportunity to shape the future of the Smart Bites program, potentially impacting the healthy of people nationwide. Contact the Smart Bites program representative from your community to join the program!
In life, we plan for many things. We prepare for our retirement, plan trips, and save money for our children’s education. Yet, we often forget to plan for our future healthcare treatment. No one can predict when a sudden illness or accident may occur, leaving a person unable to make personal healthcare decisions. Advance care planning is about ensuring that the healthcare treatment you receive is consistent with your wishes and preferences. It’s a gift to you and your family that promotes peace of mind.
Advance care planning is the process of coming to understand, reflect on, discuss, and plan for a time when you cannot make your own medical decisions. Effective planning is the best way to make sure your views are respected by your loved ones and health providers. This process provides great comfort to those who may make end-of-life decisions for you.
Your Health Your Choice is provided as a free service to the residents of Genesee County. First Steps® certified advance care planning facilitators are available at no cost to meet with individuals and guide them through the ACP process. ACP facilitators help you to reflect on and document your end-of-life healthcare wishes and preferences. They help make sure that those wishes are shared with your family, loved ones, and healthcare professionals to ensure that they are honored when you can no longer speak for yourself. To find out additional information or schedule an appointment to complete an advance directive or review your existing advance directive, please visit www.yourhealthyourchoice.org.
People who were impacted by the Flint Water Crisis can now participate in a voluntary secure registry which will aim to connect them to programs and other resources that serve to minimize the effects of lead on their health while promoting wellness and recovery.
Michigan State University will carry out the registry in collaboration with a broad partnership including leadership form the City of Flint, Greater Flint Health Coalition, educators, clinicians, and community-based organizations that serve Flint residents.
In addition to linking residents to supportive programs and resources, the registry will document the effects on residents affected by lead-tainted tap water and evaluate the effectiveness of health, educational, environmental and community services on improving the health of participants.
Enrollment into the registry will begin in fall of 2018.
Registry Pre-Enrollment
Enrollment into the registry will begin in fall of 2018, however pre-enroll now to get the most up-to-date information. To pre-enroll, visit www.flintregistry.org, contact (833)GO-FLINT or email, FlintRegistry@hc.msu.edu for more information.
Health Happens Here – Genesee County & Flint is a social marketing campaign that aims to improve health by bringing awareness to residents of all communities in Genesee County and Flint regarding the following:
1. How social determinants of health in one’s community can impact their health and well-being.
2. What resources are available for residents to take advantage of in their neighborhood or community.
3. How they can take action to improve social determinants (where we live, learn, work and play) of health in their respective neighborhood or community.
Health Happens Here – Genesee County & Flint is based on a best practices model previously implemented through the California Endowment which informs residents of differences in average life expectancy in various local zip codes as one tool to engage residents in action. Community-based marketing provides powerful messaging to raise awareness of the social determinants (where we live, learn, work and play) of health and the resources available to improve health in the community.
The Health Happens Here program supports local residents in improving health behaviors by encouraging participation in existing health-related resources, programs, events, and other activities that support individual and community well-being.
ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES OFFERED BY HEALTH HAPPENS HERE
As an online resource, www.h3genesee.org, is linked to a community calendar to include health and community-related activities, and includes a link to the “Health Happens Here Genesee County & Flint” Facebook page.
The website also contains information on how residents can take action to improve health in their community (for example, an “Advocacy & Action” document is available to specifically outline ways that residents can contact legislators on health-related issues).
Fact Sheets for all communities/zip codes in Genesee County & Flint are offered as resources to residents, highlighting health-related statistics as well as resources related to each specific community where residents live, learn, work, and play.
