People who earn less than $17,775 a year are eligible to enroll in Apple Health (Medicaid) insurance, which covers dental care. Unfortunately, that doesn't always mean they are able to access dental care they need. In fact, in Spokane in 2020, only 24% of adults with Apple Health saw a dentist. Smile Spokane’s Access Strategy seeks to close that gap and help more people get the care they need.
Read MoreBeginning February 2022, independent evaluators from the Center for Health Systems Effectiveness (CHSE) at OHSU will be conducting a Medicaid-focused survey of select practices and hospitals. The survey is part of the independent evaluation of the Medicaid Transformation Project (MTP) being conducted for Washington’s federal 1115 Medicaid Waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Read MoreWe want to celebrate our Sealants Strategy in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month! Tooth pain and cavities can make kids more likely to miss school and more likely to earn below-average grades. Luckily, Communities in Schools Spokane County and ToothSavers of Washington have partnered with Smile Spokane to provide sealants to kids in elementary schools. When we prevent cavities, kids stay in school, focused on achieving good grades, which supports their long-term success in life.
Read MoreAs 2021 closes, BHT still has approximately $1.5 million of IMC funds to allocate. At the September BH Forum, partners discussed how they would like to see us use the IMC funds over the next two years. At the November Board meeting, the Board approved allocation for the remaining IMC funds toward behavioral health initiatives in 2022-23.
Read MoreWith the global pandemic upon us in early 2021 and the disparities in health care becoming glaringly obvious, Smile Spokane started an equity project in partnership with CHAS Health community health workers (CHW), with the support of the Arcora Foundation. The project focused on the oral health needs of Spokane’s Marshallese community members.
Read MoreOpen Enrollment season is upon us! New Healthplanfinder customers can begin shopping for a 2022 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) and Qualified Dental Plan (QDP) on November 1, 2021. For their coverage to start January 1, 2022, customers must select a plan by December 15, 2021.
Read MoreDecolonizing Nonprofits is returning in November! This time, Tara will be offering two skill levels. Level 1 is for anyone who is interested and wants to know more. Level 2 is for those who already have a deep understanding of what decolonizing means and who are prepared to start integrating decolonizing themes into their work.
Read MoreA committee of staff members convened to develop COVID safety guidelines based on public health guidance, community case rates, and input from the full staff. The committee made the following decisions regarding guidelines and safety measures for those choosing to be at the office. This is point-in-time guidance for BHT staff working at the BHT office.
Read MoreThis is point-in-time guidance for partners, clients, and visitors to the BHT office. We will continue to review and revise as appropriate based on current community conditions and public health guidance.
Read MoreBHT took into consideration many factors when designing the funds flow model for Medicaid Transformation Project achievement in years 2019-2021. Click to read about the funds flow models approved by the BHT Board at their November 28, 2018 meeting.
Read MoreBetter Health Together is committed to supporting and providing these spaces to grieve, heal, and organize for change in our community. Please share within your organization.
Read MoreBHT is hiring for several positions! Use your skills and professional approach to help us achieve better health, better care, and reduce costs in our seven-county region. Check out our Careers page to learn more and apply.
Read MoreBetter Health Together is committed to supporting and providing these spaces to grieve, heal, and organize for change in our community. Please share within your organization.
Read MoreOn behalf of the Spokane Region’s participation in the Safety and Justice Challenge, BHT is releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to organizations that provide services that address community safety, early intervention, or reducing recidivism. A total of $75,000 is available to support innovative, community-based approaches to…
Read MoreA 6-part series focusing on internal human resource practices that can have an immediate impact on building equity into an organization's DNA. We are hosting this first cohort to gauge interest in equity-based series like these. Our hope is to have 6-8 organizations participate. Because of the limited size of this cohort, we are asking all interested organizations to fill out a short application. Applications are due by May 5.
Read MoreNotice of Intent to Apply - We are putting forth a proposal to administer $2 million of the City of Spokane’s funds for COVID-19 Emergency Housing and Utility Assistance as a fiscal sponsor for BIPOC lead and serving organizations to offer direct rental assistance to the community members they serve. If accepted, we hope our community partners will join us, giving input on the fund's design, structure, and governance.
Read MoreWe've released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting applications from contracted partners connected to or providing behavioral health services for projects that will help reduce barriers for patients accessing telehealth behavioral health services during COVID-19. Individual awards of up to $20,000 per partner are available until the $300,000 available is expended. Learn more and apply by April 16th priority funding deadline!
Read MoreBHT is recruiting to fill open seats for our Rural Public Health and Managed Care representatives. BHT will prioritize BIPOC representation, gender diversity, people with lived experience, and age diversity for service on the Board. These two appointments will be a modified term running until the formal end of the Medicaid Waiver.
Read MoreThe BHT Board of directors unanimously approved a total of nearly $1.3M for a robust COVID response strategy. This decision will kick off a busy spring for our team and the many partners we will be working with to get this work off the ground.
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