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Broadwater County approves DPHHS workforce grant to fund nurse and medical assistant
Summary
The commission approved a Montana DPHHS task order to reimburse Broadwater County Public Health for up to $53,000 over 12 months to fund two staff at a combined 1.0 full-time equivalent (two 0.5 FTE positions). Public health director Ruby Taylor described increased service capacity for vaccinations, foot care and other clinics.
The Broadwater County Commission on May 14 approved task order number 26-07-1-01-105-0 between the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and Broadwater County to fund public-health staffing.
Ruby Taylor, Broadwater County public health director, told commissioners the workforce retention grant pays two employees at 0.5 full-time equivalent each (a total of 1.0 FTE) and reimburses the county for wages and benefits via quarterly invoices. “It funds 2 of my employees at a 0.5 FTE, for a total of 1 FTE. It's for the amount of up to 53,000, for 12 months,” Taylor said.
Taylor described how the funded nurse and medical assistant increase clinic capacity for routine vaccinations, allergy injections (which require a 30-minute monitoring period), foot care and intake services such as help applying for Medicaid or SNAP benefits. She said the grant’s reimbursement model requires quarterly invoices to DPHHS.
There was no public opposition during the vote. The commission moved, seconded and unanimously approved the task order for up to $53,000.
Taylor also noted the county’s homemaker program has one open slot following a recent death and that the county has provided callers with alternate home-health referrals while capacity is limited.
