G-2406-21837

New Mainers Public Health Initiative (NMPHI) serves as the leading health related, ethnic-based organization directly serving the needs of the immigrant and refugee communities in Maine. NMPHI aims to empower, inform, and educate new Mainers (primarily immigrants and refugees) about preventive health measures through the promotion of healthy habits. In addition to this, NMPHI develops capacity and mobilizes community partnerships in identifying and solving health problems to bridge gaps in health care service delivery and decrease health disparities. The organization works a great deal with Medicaid-eligible populations and individuals with disabilities. This is important as Maine is working towards implementation of their new, comprehensive adult dental benefit. 

NMPHI is a returning organization to CareQuest Institute and has been working to advance equity through community programming and grassroots organizing. Before becoming a CareQuest Institute grantee, NMPHI established and sustained several social and health services, including but not limited to those addressing maternal health, mental and behavioral health, and disabilities. During the organization’s inaugural grant project, NMPHI built knowledge and capacity for oral health care education and care coordination among its Community Health Workers (CHWs), Junior CHWs, and assistants who authentically represent the community in language and cultural practices. The project yielded new partnerships with providers, hospitals, clinics, and advocacy organizations who shared an interest and dedication to expanding dental coverage to all people in Maine, regardless of immigration status.

The proposed work is multifaceted and include focuses on community outreach and education, advocacy, and policy reform (expanding dental coverage and addressing policies that would extend care to all people regardless of immigration status), as well as some elements of workforce development, and data collection & analysis.

Community Outreach and Education: NMPHI will conduct workshops and educational sessions on oral health literacy, emphasizing prevention and proper dental hygiene practices.

Advocacy and Policy Reform: The organization will collaborate with stakeholders to advocate for expanded dental coverage and policies addressing oral health disparities and healthcare expansion, including LD 1837 and LD199.

Workforce Development: NMPHI will continue its mentorship programs and shadowing opportunities for youth pursuing careers in dentistry, including its partnership with the University of New England (UNE), to mentor youth entering the dental care workforce.

Data Collection and Analysis: Implement surveys and focus groups to gather data on oral health needs and outcomes, guiding its initiatives and measuring impact. This data will also be shared to improve workforce development.

This proposal is being recommended for funding in the amount of $125,000, which amounts to approximately 11% of the organization's overall budget. Slightly more than $110,000 will be allocated to personnel for this project (three part-time CHWs) with in-kind support coming in the form of services by the organization (translation and campaign development). The remaining grant funds will be used to cover training expenses for the CHWs and materials for community data collection and analysis.