Health Foundation of South Florida announces call for proposals to boost number of South Floridians signing up for health insurance.

The Health Foundation of South Florida is seeking proposals from Miami-Dade and Broward community-led and grassroots organizations to help increase the number of South Floridians who sign up for health insurance either on the federal insurance marketplace, Medicaid and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 31, 2021

 

BACKGROUND

Access to care and health insurance is an essential component to a healthy community and to the reduction of health disparities. The goal of increasing access, availability and the appropriate use of health care has the potential to improve the health of South Florida communities, especially low- to moderate-income populations, for two key reasons. First: access to health care can impact one’s overall physical, social, and mental health status and quality of life. Second: health insurance facilitates entry into the health care system, thus increasing access to comprehensive, quality health care services that promote and maintain health, prevent and manage disease, reduce unnecessary disability and premature death.

Despite health insurance coverage gains in the years following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, South Florida still has one of the highest rates of uninsured in the country, primarily among low-income Black and Hispanic populations. Barriers to enrollment vary and they include: lack of awareness; fear and mistrust; affordability; inaccessibility due to lack of transportation, language and computer skills. The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath only worsened the landscape. As thousands of people lost jobs, they also lost employer-sponsored insurance. 

While President Biden’s American Rescue Plan promises to make health insurance coverage more accessible and affordable, it will also require robust and persistent outreach and engagement efforts to increase awareness and accessibility so that people can take advantage of the expanded subsidies. This is especially true in vulnerable communities that are harder to reach but where the need is dire.

OPPORTUNITY

The Health Foundation of South Florida seeks to collaborate with and fund community-led and grassroots organizations that will leverage the power of trusted messengers to engage in meaningful, measurable outreach and education efforts with the goal of boosting the number of residents who sign up for health insurance on the federal marketplace, Medicaid and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program—ultimately striving to reduce health disparities among Black and Hispanic low-income populations. 

This opportunity is open to organizations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties that have demonstrated prior experience engaging hard-to-reach populations and conducting highly targeted community outreach. Submissions are especially encouraged from minority-serving organizations that have a proven track record in educating consumers about health insurance options, encouraging people to take the steps necessary to obtain coverage and connecting eligible uninsured South Floridians to organizations that can help them enroll in a plan.

CRITERIA

We will consider proposals from 501c3 status organizations that have direct reach and access to the populations being targeted by this effort, experience with high-touch programs assisting individuals, and a reputation in their communities as a resource, even if not focused exclusively on health. In addition, the organizations should be able to:

  • Conduct targeted community-outreach, specifically in the following zip codes: *
    Broward: 33060, 33064, 33441, 33068, 33309, 33334 ,33311 33312, 33313, 33020, 33009, 33023, 33024.
    Miami-Dade: 33054, 33161, 33162, 33167, 33168, 33010, 33012, 33013, 33142, 33147, 33150, 33125, 33126, 33127, 33128, 33130, 33030, 33034.
    * Other zip codes will be considered but applicant must demonstrate need using appropriate data indicators such as uninsured rates, social vulnerability index, uninsured but QHP eligible. 
  • Use evidence-based strategies or innovative cross-sector collaborations and tools to facilitate outreach and consumer education efforts.

  • Host or partner with others to coordinate enrollment pop-up events in the community with Navigator/CAC programs or brokers.

  • Track and report outcomes associated with outreach and education activities, referrals and enrollment.

  • Provide ongoing support with maintaining and utilizing health insurance coverage.

FUNDING & BENEFITS

We will consider multi-year proposals of up to $125,000 per year. The funding will cover direct project costs such as salaries, benefits, program supplies, event costs, outreach and marketing materials, travel, translation costs, etc. 

The Health Foundation may consider salaries for enrollment assisters under special circumstances. 

Grantees will be supported throughout the grant period with opportunities for peer learning, technical assistance and training. Those who apply but are not able to receive funding will be welcomed to join the peer learning community.

APPLICATION

Please submit proposals no later than August 31 at 11:59 pm. Decisions will be finalized by the beginning of October. 

If you would like to discuss your idea before submitting an application, Health Foundation staff is available to answer questions and offer advice. Please contact Fernanda Kuchkarian at fkuchkarian@hfsf.org or 305-374-6442.

CLICK HERE to submit a proposal via our Grants Portal. If you do not already have an account, you must create one by following the instructions provided on the link. Once an account is created, you will find information about this grant opportunity under the “Explore Grant Opportunities” tab. 

CLICK HERE to view the proposal application in a Word document. Sections include a brief narrative, work plan and budget template. You are not required to this budget template but a copy is also available in our Grants Portal.