Organized Approaches to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening

The purpose of the program is to increase CRC screening rates among an applicant-defined target population of persons 50-75 years of age within partner health system(s), defined geographical areas, or disparate populations. This program will fund implementation of EBIs and other strategies in partnership with health systems with the goal of instituting organized screening programs. In addition, this program will fund a small number of awardees to pay for direct screening and follow-up services for a limited number of individuals that belong to the Program Priority Population. The Program Priority Population to receive CRC services is defined as: persons ages 50-64 who are asymptomatic and at average risk for CRC, with inadequate or no health insurance for CRC screening, and with income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Component 1: Health Systems Change to Increase and Improve Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening. To increase capacity and support organized CRC screening, awardees must partner with health systems, such as federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), health plan clinic networks, large physician practices, Medicaid, Medicare, and insurance plans that serve the applicant-defined target population to: a) implement EBIs identified in The Community Guide to increase CRC screening using supporting strategies such as small media, professional development, patient navigation, clinical-community linkages, and health informatics and b) measure outcomes for evaluation. The applicant-defined target population should have CRC screening rates lower than the state or national overall screening. To increase CRC screening and follow-up rates, awardee activities that may be funded include, but are not limited to: formally partnering with an FQHC to implement a provider-oriented intervention such as provider reminders, formally partnering with a state primary care association to create or modify FQHC operational models, or formally partnering with an insurer to implement client-oriented EBIs such as client reminders. This FOA uses the World Health Organization’s definition of health systems, “…all the organizations, institutions, and resources that are devoted to producing health actions.” This definition includes the full range of players engaged in the provision and financing of health services including the public, nonprofit, and for-profit private sectors, and voluntary organizations involved in funding or implementing health activities. Only Component 1 awardees will be eligible to receive Component 2 awards. Component 2 - CRC Screening Delivery to Improve Access to the Underserved (Optional): Awardees must use an active, existing organized screening provision program to provide CRC screening and diagnostic follow-up services for the program’s priority population as described above. Applicants that cannot demonstrate an existing clinical and programmatic infrastructure and currently provide colorectal screening and follow-up services to the program’s priority population will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered for Component 2 funding. CDC will evaluate awardee program-funded screening based on the achievement of CRCCP quality performance measures. CDC funds may not be used for the treatment of complications or cancers diagnosed through the program. Applicants must have a system in place to assist patients to identify and secure treatment resources when applicable.