Health Resource Capacity Assessment for Putnam, Connecticut, May 2001

Recommendation Ranking Survey

April 18, 2001

To: Putnam Health Assessment Workgroup

Re: Potential recommendations

These are the recommendations - all of them - that we've collected from all sources. They are in no particular order. I have grouped them under similar categories. If you feel strongly about different items under a category, please explain in the comments section at the end.

Your assessment can be for your clients, the whole town, the neediest population - that is up to you. It would be helpful if you consider the feasibility of the recommendation -- whether the community would be supportive, budget, history of similar initiatives, etc. It would also be helpful if you consider the likely impact of the recommendation - would it really address the problem, or just feel good.

Please rank them in order of importance -- 1 being the most important recommendation. As there are some on the work group who are the only member representing their constituency, we decided to allow everyone to star one item. The starred recommendations will be included in the final list regardless of how many other members vote for it.

If I have completely confused you, give me a call (203) 562-1636 or email andrews@cthealthpolicy.org

Thanks,

Ellen Andrews

CT Health Policy Project 703 Whitney Ave. New Haven CT 06511 (203) 562-1636 FAX (203) 562-1637 andrews@cthealthpolicy.org

Increase access to affordable childcare

• particularly infant and afterschool care

Increase access to transportation

• reduce need to call 24 to 48 hours ahead
• trips for urgent needs that aren't emergencies

Opportunities for socialization across generations

• community center

More structured activities for teens

• sports, active options for non-athletes and athletes
• swimming pool
• "playgrounds"
• supervised programs
• teen center - safe place to go, fun
• mentoring program, provide positive role models

Expand access to health care

• recruiting more physicians and other providers
• walk-in clinic
• further expanding hours at current sites
• expand free physicals offered at schools
• expand HUSKY to higher incomes and adults without children
• increase the frequency of physicals required for school
• local access to family planning services

Expand access to affordable prescription drugs

• expand ConnPACE to higher incomes and other age groups

Information, assistance resources

• a centralized location or service for families, seniors, teens, and others
• information on what is available -- public and private
• assistance in applying for/accessing those services
• information on managed care, choosing a plan, provider
• centralized source for who is taking new patients and who takes what insurer

Volunteer coordination - one local source to match potential volunteers with community needs

Improve access to mental health services and substance abuse treatment

• recruit more providers
• encourage providers to accept Medicaid
• increase funding to meet current services and coming increases in demand
• increase treatment slots across the spectrum of services
• address stigma

Better management of current spending/operations -

• evaluation to eliminate duplication and ensure that the community is getting what it is paying for
• monitoring to ensure that services are addressing the community's needs, not missing anything
• maximize efficiency with diminishing resources
• ensure that resource planning is data driven
• focus on long-term goals

Public education -

• nutrition
• exercise
• Lyme disease - risks not recognized
• HIV and STDs
• drugs and alcohol
• domestic violence
• importance of preventive care, for children and adults
• importance of dental care
• to address stigma about people with mental illness
• child abuse
• how to navigate complex health care systems, patients' rights
• reduce inappropriate use of ER
• services that are available now -- how to access them, an appreciation of what is available (how tax dollars are spent, what is provided to kids in school, etc.)
• educate the broader community about the needs of different populations

Expand home health resources

• recruit more workers
• more supports to retain current workers
• raise reimbursement rates
• allow LPN's to provide more types of care
• sliding fee scale for services

Expand access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance

• expand HUSKY information - available for higher incomes and for parents
• help in applying for assistance
• expand HUSKY eligibility to higher income parents and to adults without children
• educate public that preventive care prevents disease and saves money
• work with employers

Access to dental care

• need to support and nurture the dental van program

Facilitate communication between providers and with community

• foster realistic expectations for institutions, services
• coordinate resources· better planning, responsiveness to crises
• both formal and informal processes/networks

Support for stressed families, particularly young, single parents

• parenting skills training, time management
• access to information on services
• activities
• nutrition and exercise information for whole family
• expand hours at clinics, offices
• expand sites
• assistance in scheduling appointments, transportation
• expand HUSKY parents' eligibility

Increase awareness of rural areas by policymakers

• unique needs and strengths

Case management for chronic illnesses, complex cases

• reconstruct CDM program for near elderly
• more in-home supports

Expand smoking cessation programs

Asthma management and identification programs

Feel free to add any comments or another recommendation: