October 20, 2021
(Austin) – Central Health is launching a new program called the Community Healthcare Initiative Fund (CHIF) to support community groups, nonprofits, and private businesses working to address health inequities among Travis County residents with low income.
Data shows about 80% of an individual’s health is determined by social factors outside a clinic: lack of access to healthy food, safe housing, quality education, jobs paying living wages, and other factors. Central Health developed CHIF to address these factors by shaping better health care service delivery strategies.
To help Central Health determine what types of services should be funded and where, local organizations or agencies are invited to submit non-clinical plans or ideas to address health inequities and service gaps in our community. Submissions will be via a formal Request for Information (RFI) process. Ideally, non-clinical interventions will address the wellness and prevention service priorities of Central Health’s system of care such as:
- Diet, nutrition and exercise support
- Health literacy and communication support
- Disease prevention and screening support
- Community health service provider organizational capacity building
“Health inequities are reduced when health interventions are tailored to the specific contexts and conditions that vulnerable populations experience,” Central Health President & CEO Mike Geeslin said. “Through the Community Healthcare Initiative Fund, we’re providing local organizations the resources they need to continue making a lasting health impact in our community.”
How to Submit
A guide and template are provided by Central Health in the RFI documents to assist with this process. All information is available via the Central Health vendor purchasing portal at CentralHealth.net/purchasing. Proposals are due at 2 p.m., Nov. 17. Visit CentralHealth.net/CHIF to learn more.
An online informational session for anyone interested in participating is scheduled from 9:30-10:00 a.m., Oct. 26 via https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/7875031799.
Next Steps
Following the initial idea submission phase, Central Health will begin review of the submissions to develop one or more Requests for Proposals (RFP) and invite organizations to submit their proposals in early 2022 for possible funding. The RFPs will also be available at CentralHealth.net/purchasing.
To learn more about Central Health’s Community Healthcare Initiative Fund, visit CentralHealth.net/CHIF
