COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

At the core of our equity work is our commitment to community engagement. Staff employs community engagement tactics that meet people where they are. We connect with residents to gather their feedback through community conversations, community advisory committees, surveys and one-on-one interviews (in person or by phone). In addition, we rely on communication and outreach tactics to ensure we are involving people with low income in the public participation process.

EQUITY POLICY COUNCIL

Central Health launched in 2015 a coalition of volunteers charged with identifying and advancing health and wellness equity policies for Travis County residents with low income – the Central Health Equity Policy Council.

Since its inception, the Coalition has focused on the following policy initiatives:

• 2016: Ordinance prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors
• 2017: Amending the Smoking in Public Places ordinance to include electronic cigarettes
• 2018: Recess policies within the four school districts in Travis County with the highest percentage of low-income students
• 2019: Worked with the safety net clinics and emergency departments to implement routine HIV screening
• 2020: Centering disaster planning and response efforts on equity
• 2021: Race Equity Committee
• 2022: Healthcare Equality Initiative

COMMUNITY HEALTH CHAMPIONS

In 2016, Central Health launched the Community Health Champions – a community engagement program bringing together a diverse group of community members to learn about, discuss and collaborate on our work.

Central Health’s Community Health Champions program in 2018 began focusing on health equity – holding the space for discussions around health outcomes and how Central Health and partners come together to address health disparities.

In 2019, with feedback from Community Health Champions, Central Health embedded a two-day health equity training session into the program curriculum. This class decided to create a health equity projects committee upon completion of the program. Members of this committee prioritized doing research to support a business case to bring the same or a similar health equity training program to employees across the Central Health Enterprise (including CommUnityCare and Sendero). The business case was approved in June 2020.

USING DATA TO IDENTIFY AND FIX DISPARITIES

Central Health uses data to identify any health disparities. We analyze clinical quality measures provided by our clinical partners by race/ethnicity, gender at birth, age, and housing status to identify disparities that affect a person’s health.

Currently, data around people’s social conditions – where and how they live, access to education, healthy foods, and more – are not standardized or consistently collected across the many different providers serving Travis County residents with low income.

Central Health is currently working with the Dell Medical School at UT, CommUnityCare, and Ascension Texas to standardize demographic data and their respective values across these different systems. Simultaneously, Central Health’s Equity Policy Council is working with clinical partners on an initiative standardizing gender identity data collection, helping them work toward Health Equality Index accreditation.

One gap we are addressing in FY2022: Central Health’s Eligibility Department does not currently collect gender identity data from MAP/MAP BASIC members.

IDENTIFYING GAPS IN TRAVIS COUNTY’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS WITH LOW INCOME

Central Health envisions a seamlessly connected health care system that doesn’t require workarounds or force patients to “connect the dots” regarding their care, their health, and their wellbeing.

In 2021, Central Health launched an initiative to create a high-functioning, patient-focused health care system to serve those who have been marginalized and underserved.

We believe every person in our community —regardless of where they live, where they’re from, or how much money they earn —deserves the opportunity to live their best, most healthy lives.

HEALTHCARE EQUITY PLAN

In 2020, the Central Health Board of Managers began putting together a service plan to improve access to healthcare by building an equity-focused, comprehensive, high functioning, and affordable system of care to improve the health of the population in the economically challenged parts of Travis County. In 2022, Central Health approved a comprehensive Healthcare Equity Plan to best position to meet the evolving health-related needs of its population and work toward long-term solutions that maximize the use of community resources.

READ THE PLAN

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Our Journey

In 2019 under the direction of CEO Mike Geeslin, Central Health created an employee-led Equity and Inclusion Task Force. Task Force members then created equity and inclusion goals, objectives, standards, and values for Central Health and outlined specific tactics for achieving the goals they created.
In 2022, the task force evolved into an official D&I Council that serves as an employee voice to align the overall D&I purpose and vision for all. This will include institutionalizing processes for honest dialogue within the community and collaborating with partners that enhance business outcomes.

D&I Council Goals

At Central Health, we strive to:

• Ensure leadership commitment and accountability
• Foster a collaborative culture
• Support staff growth and development
• Create a diverse and inclusive environment throughout the recruitment, retention, and promotion process
• Ensure mission effectiveness through equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts