HEZ Community Health Workers
Closed State & local contract opportunity Posted
- Solicitation number
- 25-RFA-13139
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Responses due
Opportunity facts
- Jurisdictions
- Point of contact
-
- Stephanie Hostetler shostetler@pa.gov (717) 705-3878
Opportunity details come from emarketplace.state.pa.us. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking up to six grant agreements for Health Enterprise Zone (HEZ) Community Health Worker Programs in North Philadelphia, specifically targeting 15 designated zip codes. This Request for Applications (RFA) aims to improve health outcomes by deploying Community Health Workers (CHWs) who will address social determinants of health, including multi-generational household health needs, food security, mental health, asthma, diabetes, and substance use disorder. The primary objectives include reducing barriers to care for health care service super utilizers, increasing access to high-quality care through community-based professionals, and developing a culturally competent workforce to address health disparities. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a physical address within the designated HEZ zip codes and must submit both a technical submittal and a cost submittal. The response deadline is July 15, 2025, with a proposed grant term of two years and potential extension for up to three additional one-year periods. Evaluation will focus on the applicant's technical approach, qualifications, understanding of the project, and ability to meet specified performance standards.
Eligible applicants are restricted to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located within the specified North Philadelphia zip codes, with administrative fees capped at 10% of the total proposed cost. The maximum funding available is $500,000 per year for each award, contingent on state funding availability, and salaries exceeding $100,000 per year require written justification. The program emphasizes culturally competent, trauma-informed services that integrate CHWs into community health settings, with a focus on creating a workforce that can effectively bridge gaps between healthcare providers and individuals in vulnerable communities. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for work satisfactorily performed after executing the agreement, with a strong emphasis on integrating CHWs who can provide support in navigating the health system, offering social support, and advocating for health-related needs. The program requires compliance with various appendices, including lobbying certifications, worker protection certifications, and business associate addendums that outline specific requirements for handling protected health information and maintaining organizational standards.
Opportunity text
In 2017, DHS, in cooperation with the City of Philadelphia, area hospitals, universities, and community stakeholders, developed a North Philadelphia HEZ initiative to identify and reduce barriers to health care, improve health outcomes for North Philadelphia residents, and foster collaboration among the many varied healthcare providers, organizations, and community members in North Philadelphia.DHS established seven objectives for the HEZ initiative:1. Reduce barriers to care for super utilizers of health care services.2. Increase access to high-quality care through community-based professionals.3. Develop a culturally competent, community-based workforce to address social determinants of health.4. Deploy innovative strategies and technology.5. Improve coordination of care between physical and behavioral health.6. Reduce redundancy and improve efficiency through integration and rebalancing of health care resources.7. Invest in infrastructure and incentives for long-term success and stability.The communities most vulnerable to health disparities face tremendous barriers to quality health care. These barriers can be described by the social and environmental determinants of health, or the conditions that contribute to an individual's state of health. As a result, individuals often feel that a gap exists between provider recommendations for healthy living and their ability to carry out the recommendations.CHWs have been identified as playing crucial roles in reducing inequities in access to essential health care services, particularly for underserved, vulnerable populations. CHW is an umbrella term for community-based workers that assist in bridging the gaps between providers and individuals. CHWs come from similar neighborhoods and are able to provide support in navigating the health system, social support, and health advocacy for their neighbors. Trained by medical and public health professionals, CHWs have been proven to make healthy behaviors and health care more accessible and ultimately help individuals live better and healthier lives.
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