Working Together for Better Patient Outcomes
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The Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership (ICAP) Community Health Worker (CHW) program is rapidly proving to be a strong asset in their service area. ICAP is a community-based non-profit organization that serves primarily low-income families and senior citizens in a 14-county area of East Central South Dakota. They have 21 offices, including Head Start sites.
Mendy Herke, ICAP CHW Program Manager, was hired in August of 2022 and completed her certification through Southeast Tech in December later that year. The program grew quickly, and Meghan Vogel was hired as a CHW to join the team in September. Meghan has a passion for public health and public service and is currently enrolled in the training program at Southeast Tech.
“While developing the CHW program, it gave us great insight into how needed our services are in our community,” said Mendy. “Being a community-based agency, it is a natural fit as we have many resources in our network to recommend.”
Mendy’s nursing background has assisted in developing a strong partnership with Madison Regional Health System (MRHS), the local medical provider. Many providers have embraced the program and see it as a benefit for their patient care.
“The CHW program has served as a bridge between the healthcare providers and individuals in the community. It has reduced the demand on the healthcare system, including our nursing staff, while using the resources available in the community. MRHS looks forward to continuing improved outcomes for the residents in Madison and surrounding areas,” said Kari Bruns, RN, BSN, Community Care Coordinator.
Kari serves as a liaison and manages all the referrals and communication between the CHWs and the medical providers. “The newly formed partnership between MRHS and ICAP- CHW program has been a huge asset to the Madison community and surrounding areas,” she said.
According to Kari, “The CHWs have been essential in helping residents gain access to resources such as affordable medical, dental, and mental health care services; insurance (Medicare or Medicaid enrollment); translation and transportation services; or housing, food, and education.”
“Our clients are often in survival mode and living on very few resources so when you connect them to a resource that they genuinely need it is such a fulfilling feeling,” said Mendy.
Some examples are helping a client who lost his sight get a visual aid machine for his home, allowing him to read and be more independent. The team is working with a mom in assisting her son to connect with the Make-A-Wish program and apply for a companion dog. They have worked closely with the local hospital to get a client’s home ready for when they were discharged and helped a client get oxygen in her home.
As ICAP looks to grow and sustain the CHW program they plan to place a third CHW in their Sioux Falls location. Additionally, ICAP is exploring other healthcare provider partnerships within their service area. They were also one of the first programs to start the Medicaid enrollment process for CHW agencies and are in the process of setting up the infrastructure to support reimbursement.