Eastern Plumas Health Care Receives $203K CalAim Grant

Last week, Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC) received a $203,151 grant from the Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Capacity and Infrastructure Transition, Expansion, and Development Initiative, Round 4. The award will support the expansion of EPHC’s work with Medi-Cal services, California’s version of the federal Medicaid program. Over the past three years, EPHC has secured a total of $2.8 million through the PATH program, as part of an effort to modernize California’s Medicaid program.

EPHC plans to allocate the new funding toward hiring additional staff, building capacity, creating more workspace, and providing employee training, as well as purchasing equipment such as cell phones and vehicles. EPHC says such resources will enhance outreach efforts and ensure worker safety in remote field settings. Previous grant funds have already financed the renovation of office space for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal program, known as CalAIM, located above the Nifty Thrifty store in Portola.

“EPHC initially anticipated hiring two employees and providing care management services for up to 80 members. We have grown due to the needs of our counties and now serve 120 members with a team of four. Our overall project goal is to expand our program once more, assisting us to reach our current objective of serving 180-200 members at any given time,” says Director of CalAIM and Program Manager Joanna Garneau.

EPHC runs clinics in Graeagle, Loyalton, and Portola, while operating a nine-bed acute care hospital in Portola. The organization delivers a range of outpatient care, behavioral health support, rehabilitation, and related services to the community. In addition, EPHC maintains a 24-hour ambulance service across the Sierra Valley.