Funding Opportunity: Telehealth Implementation Plan Consultant

/

Background:   

Newport School District is a rural school district located 45 minutes North of Spokane. The district is comprised of four schools: Stratton Elementary, Sadie Halstead Middle School, Newport High School, and the alternative High School, Pend Oreille River School.  Currently, there are 1124 students attending the Newport School District.  

Of those in attendance: 

  • 65% qualify for Free and Reduced Meals 

  • 114 are recorded as homeless 

  • 17.5% qualify for special services.   

According to the most recent Healthy Youth Survey (HYS): 

  • 64% reported that they have felt anxious or nervous in the last 2 weeks 

  • 45% of students reported on HYS that they have felt sad/hopeless for 2 weeks straight or longer 

  • 13% of our student body population has attempted suicide 

  • 19% of those who participated in the HYS reported that they did not feel they had a trusting adult they could turn to for help.  

In speaking with local school-based therapists, it has been reported that well over half of students currently in counseling services have reported that feelings of anxiety and hopelessness began during or after the covid pandemic. About ¼ of those in-services feel that they don’t feel connected with their current counselor but have no other options. 

The district currently partners with Newport Hospital & Health Services in assisting students in meeting their healthcare needs and offering referrals to those who need/want therapy or counseling services. Newport Health & Hospital Services offers monthly in-school services to students whose healthcare needs cannot be met outside of school hours due to lack of transportation or guardian availability. According to NHHS, 90% of those students who utilize their in-school clinic are on Apple Health, Molina, or Amerigroup. Local therapists in private practice report that Medicaid is the most common insurance used by clients followed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Washington & Idaho, United Health Care, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente of Washington, Coordinated Care of Washington, and Regency of Washington. Unfortunately, the waitlist for therapy-related services in the Newport area is 3-6 months long.   

 

Funding Details:

 

Purpose 

In 2022, The Washington Department of Health received funding from the CDC (OT21-2103) to address COVID-19-related health disparities for high-risk and underserved populations, specifically including racial and ethnic minorities and rural populations. The State Office of Rural Health is leading work with entities based in rural counties to prioritize and enact projects that meet local needs through May 2024. Better Health Together (BHT) contracted with The State Office of Rural Health to lead work to prioritize and enact projects which meet local needs through May 2024.  

BHT has worked with the Pend Oreille Health Coalition to gather local partners to determine local needs and priorities. This meeting consisted of local medical, social determinants, behavioral health, and emergency services providers. This group determined that one local gap and need is telehealth access for high school students attending Newport Highschool and Pend Oreille River School. 

To support the needs of Newport School District, BHT would like to utilize the remaining unallocated dollars, $11,000, of the Washington Department of Health funding to pay a consultant to design an implementation and sustainability plan for a telehealth service to be offered in Newport High School, and the alternative High School, Pend Oreille River School, by March 30, 2024. 

 Amount 

  • $11,000, Paid upon delivery of a telehealth implementation and sustainability plan to Newport School District no later than March 30, 2024. 

Eligibility 

  • Applicant must demonstrate experience in creating implementation and sustainability plans and,  

  • An understanding of rural health disparities and/or telehealth programming. 

Process and Timeline 

October/November: RFP released & and review consultant proposals. 

December: Contract and Statement of Work Executed  

March: Delivery of a telehealth implementation and sustainability plan to Newport School District no later than March 30, 2024. 

To Apply: 

Send reese@betterhealthtogether.org a letter of interest that includes details on your experience in creating implementation and sustainability plans, and an understanding of rural health disparities and/or telehealth programming no later than November 30, 2023.