The Mitten Coalition Presented by Amy Fox, Elissa Gray, Jill Lovano & Holly Owen

Our Mission Our mission is to reach out and build trusting relationships with the underserved population in order to provide quality healthcare and disease prevention to homeless adults and children.

Our Philosophy Environment We believe: O That the client has a right to the safety of an environment conducive to living, and shelter from the cold northern Michigan winters. O The client has the right to information on shelters available to meet this goal. Client We believe: O The client has the right to quality healthcare no matter what their social or economic status may be. O The client has the right to make their own choices on the type of healthcare they receive.

Philosophy cont. Nurses We believe: O The nurse will provide care according to the nurse’s code of ethics as stated by the ANA. O The nurse will respect the decisions of the client and will support them to the best of the nurse’s ability.

Mitten Coalition Goals O Ensure that all eligible homeless individuals and families within the Traverse City area are provided the chance to receive proper healthcare and social services. O Improve community resources to better serve the homeless population. O Educate the homeless population on where services can be obtained within the community. O Establish an open line of communication with the underserved through local channels, such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or the areas in which they live. O Ensure that the homeless are aware of access to shelter through the Goodwill Inn, particularly during the winter months.

Mitten Coalition Objectives The Mitten Coalition, serving the underserved in the Traverse City Area, is working towards meeting all of these objectives by O To implement, maintain, and support the health care for the homeless objective. O To identify and collaborate to address at least three system needs or gaps in the community to better serve the homeless population in the Traverse City area. O To create more effective area services to better assist, motivate and promote stabilization of chronically intoxicated homeless persons in the Traverse City area.

Objectives (cont’d) O To collaborate with and support the local services of the Goodwill Inn to better house the homeless population. O To monitor and support policies and legislations at all levels of government that support the continuing health services of the underserved. O To assist, as appropriate and within the capacity of the coalition, facilitating solutions to homeless- related issues. O To provide information to the homeless population of the Traverse City area on communicable diseases, and how best to protect themselves and others.

How we will serve O The Mitten Coalition will provide free or income-based health care services to underserved populations. We will deliver these services at the Mitten Coalition clinic, and this clinic will staff a physician, registered nurses, receptionist, housekeepers, and a volunteer coordinator. Additionally, volunteers will help provide staff support and outreach services.

Job Descriptions O Executive Director: O The Executive Director is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mitten Coalition. The Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement to reach the goals and objectives specified by the Mitten Coalition. The Executive Director will: O Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. O Provide leadership in developing financial, organizational, and program plans in conjunction with the authorization by staff as a whole. O Maintain a working knowledge of trends and current developments within the homelessness field. O Be responsible for the recruitment, hiring and releasing of staff members. O Provide an area to attract and retain top staff within the needs of the Mitten Coalition. O Work with staff to create a working budget and ensure that the Mitten Coalition remains within the budget. O Be responsible for developing financial practices and ensure that adequate funds are available to carry out daily operations.

Job Descriptions O Physician O Will believe in and support the mission and philosophy of the Mitten Coalition. O Will instruct, monitor, and advice other staff members as appropriate. O Will assess and provide treatment to patients of the clinic. O Will use informed consent when providing procedures. O Will provide advice to patients regarding disease prevention and health promotion.

Job Descriptions O Nurse Manager: O Will have experience in leadership and management. O Will be responsible for directing and supervising staff. O Will ensure that effective patient care is being delivered. O Will ensure that quality standards are met by the staff. O Will review patient and staff data to measure effectiveness of patient care. O Will evaluate staff performance and provide feedback. O Will be responsible for ordering supplies needed.

Job Descriptions O RN Staff Nurse O Nurse will follow the scope and standards of practice of the American Nurses Association. O The nurse will support the mission and philosophy of the Mitten Coalition. O The nurse promotes and restores patients’ health by completing the nursing process and collaborating with other staff members. O The nurse promotes personal and patient safety. O The nurse documents actions and develops a plan of care specific to the patient.

Job Descriptions O Volunteer Coordinator O Acts as a liaison between volunteers and the Mitten Coalition. O Informs community of volunteer needs. O Supervises and trains all volunteers. O Assist with special community projects and fundraisers. O Will possess excellent communication skills and able to work with diverse group of individuals.

Job Descriptions O Receptionist O Manages phone communications. O Will greet clients in a positive way. O Will be responsible for scheduling of patients. O Will be able to perform various office duties and maintain office equipment.

Job Descriptions O Housekeeper O Will maintain a clean environment. O Will be able to maintain all cleaning equipment and materials in a safe and sanitary working condition. O Will monitor and report any repairs or maintenance needed. O Will keep record of cleaning supplies for ordering.

Organizational Chart

The Mitten Coalition Budget Monthly Expenses O Utilities $ O Supplies $ O RN (40 hours per week) $ O RN (2 part time) $ O Receptionist $ O Housekeeper (2 part time) $ O Physician $ O Nurse Manager $ O Volunteer Coordinator $

Budget (Cont’d) O Our clinic will be open Monday thru Friday from 9:00- 5:00. We will not be open on holidays. The RN’s are receiving $22.00 per hour, receptionists $10.00 per hour, housekeepers $9.00 per hour. The physician, nurse manager, and volunteer coordinator will be salary positions. Monthly pay is based on a yearly salary of $139,000 for physician, $50,000 for nurse manager, and $40,000 for a volunteer coordinator. O Benefits, such as vacation and sick time will not be paid if not used during the year. We are allowing for 2 weeks vacation and 6 personal days per year.

Mitten Coalition Income O Grants O Private donations O Insurance O We will apply for state and federal grants to help with funding for the Mitten Coalition. Additionally, the volunteer coordinator will help with fundraising efforts for private donations. Nurses, the receptionist, and volunteers will also help patients apply for Medicaid to help cover costs of their medical care.

Funding O In 2008, the state of Michigan allotted 7.8 million dollars in grants to be dispersed yearly across the state. O This financial assistance is to provide programs that respond to the needs of the homeless population, (LARA, 2008). O The Mitten Coalition plans to utilize this financial assistance to help fund our program.

Medicaid O The Mitten Coalition also plans to help educate the homeless population on enrollment into Medicaid. O This will help to cover the majority of their healthcare costs. O Obtaining Medicaid coverage will allow the homeless population to utilize our services, and maintain their health, (Kaiser Commission, 2012).

Advertising and Outreach O Flyers and newspaper advertisements are two of the ways we will reach out to our target population. The local newspaper is the Traverse City Record Eagle. The cost of running our ad without graphics is $ for 14 days in print and 30 days online. We will also place an ad in the Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless. This will be a full page color banner that will run for one issue. The cost of this ad is $475. We will also make flyers that we will put out at various businesses and events such as the Cherry Festival.

Advertising: Flyer

References O Kaiser Commission, (2012). Medicaid Coverage and Care for the Homeless Population: Key Lessons to Consider for the 2014 Medicaid Expansion. Retrieved from: O LARA, (2008). State Housing Authority Announces MSHDA and Federal Grants to Help Homeless in Communities Around Michigan. Retrieved from: O Munson Health Care, (2015). Disparities Dashboard. Retrieved from: O United States Census Bureau, (2015). Traverse City, MI. Retrieved from: