KPCA Outreach Expansion Programs 

In 2019, KPCA our Outreach Enrollment team focus was health insurance, but in the past five years, there has been a tremendous uptick in awareness of SDoH, resulting in strategies as to how to best address these needs to yield quality in closing care gaps. As a result, KPCA Community Engagement & Outreach has expanded to better incorporate a wider range of services. Here are some of our services offered:

• Region 8 kynector program
  ​KPCA has partnered with Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange (KHBE) for over 11 years, providing sub-contracted kynectors within some of our member organizations in 19 Southeast Kentucky counties. In 2019, we had 12 R8 kynectors. We currently have 33 R8 kynectors in the following areas:
  • Whitley, Laurel, Clay, Knox, Bell – Grace Health, Corbin
  • Perry, Leslie, Knott – PCCEK, Hazard
  • Lee, Wolfe, Breathitt – Juniper Health, Beattyville
  • Letcher, Harlan, Owsley – MCHC, Whitesburg
  • Martin, Magoffin, Floyd, Johnson, Pike – Big Sandy, Prestonsburg
    
    
• KDPH CDC DP21-2109 CHW program
  • KPCA partnered with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) on a 3-year grant in 2021 to provide CDC DP21-2109 Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Response and Resilient Communities. It funded CHWs in 14 member organizations. Certification training included Tier 1 CHW training and additional identified trainings related to COVID-19, underlying health conditions, and social determinants of health.
  • Funded project has ended but KPCA continues to support our members by offering bi-monthly CHW education roundtable sessions! Contact Angie Meither at ameither@kypca.net for more info.

• KCTCS kynector coordinator expansion
  • KPCA coordinates with our local community health centers for mentorship for new kynector trainees in our 2023 added KCTCS kynector coordinator pilot expansion program. Our KCTCS kynectors are direct employees who meet with local health centers to build a portfolio of referral resources and establish a referral process to assist college students, faculty, and staff who are in search of services to our local member clinics as new patients. Our KCTCS kynectors also support our local clinics who may not have in-house CAC’s by accepting referrals for health coverage applications for anyone who needs help with insurance coverage options.
     
• State office kynector consultant expansion
  • KPCA coordinates with local health centers to help mentor and train new 2023 added state office kynector consultant trainees. Our direct employee kynector consultants build a portfolio of referral resources for local member groups and establish a referral process to help refer those in search of services to one of our local member clinics.
     
• Enrollment Assistance Round Table
  • Host: Carol Adkins
  • Mission Statement: Kentucky navigator leaders meet monthly to discuss needs across agencies, partnering with local advocacy groups and community organizations to knock down barriers and better serve our communities.
     
• KPCA CHW Education Session/Support Roundtable
  • Host: Angie Meither
  • Mission Statement: Our KPCA CHW Support Roundtable is geared toward supporting our membership through addressing issues relevant to Community Health Workers (CHW’s) and the communities they serve in relationship to health and wellness.
  • This group was established in 2024 and will be held bimonthly/quarterly for 14 months.
  • Session Schedule – Meeting occurs on the 4^th Thursday excluding Holidays for a minimum of 7 meetings over a 14 month period, effective 8.22.24 and forward.
     
• SNAP/CCAP kynect Program
  • Point of Contact: Megan Snow, CHFS DCBS DFS PDB
    • Contact famsupportkynectors@ky.gov with any questions.
  • KPCA now has kynectors who can assist Kentuckians with SNAP and Child Care Assistance (CCAP)! SNAP/CCAP kynectors are individuals in our organization who are trained in basic SNAP/CCAP knowledge and can assist with the following:
    • Start SNAP/CCAP applications and recertifications
      • Our kynectors are trained in getting complete, accurate information from you and entering it into the Self Service Portal to improve the quality of data DCBS receives. This helps make the interview portion of the application/recertification process smoother than if applicants were to enter their own information on the Self Service Portal. Kynectors understand basic SNAP policy and know what DCBS is looking for!
      • By contacting a kynector for your SNAP/CCAP applications, and recertifications, households are protecting the date they file for benefits, giving them more days they may be eligible for during that first prorated month.
    • Provide guidance navigating the SNAP and CCAP programs.
      • Let’s face it -  government assistance programs are complex!  Kynectors understand the processes in place and can help advise households how to effectively navigate the program. We’re able to spend a little more one-on-one time with households than DCBS can to help them understand the application process, requirements, and what kind of verification DCBS is looking for.
      • Our kynectors can upload verification documentation. When DCBS requests proof for different elements in an application, we can help households upload that documentation to be reviewed by a DCBS worker. We also have a good idea what DCBS is looking for and look-over this documentation to make sure it covers all the right points which increases the chances it’ll be accepted and used.
      • Additionally when there are changes or things happening in our communities related to SNAP we can help get the word out, like teaching about EBT security! 
  • Goal: The goal of having SNAP/CCAP kynectors is to improve access to these programs, provide support to those seeking assistance, and advise on the program’s procedures to smooth the transition to completing a case with DCBS!
• §  Our kynectors are constantly improving how we can assist Kentuckians! For SNAP/CCAP kynectors, we regularly receive supplemental materials from DCBS to improve our understanding of the programs, complete annual trainings on the SNAP/CCAP program, data privacy & security, and racial equity, and attend seasonal meetings with DCBS to learn about program changes, opportunities to educate applicants about the program, and network with other groups. 
  §  If you are with a non-profit organization and are interested in joining the ranks of SNAP/CCAP kynectors, contact Megan Snow at famsupportkynectors@ky.gov.