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Kings County OKs agreement with Fresno Metropolitan Ministry to launch Pathways community health hub
Summary
The Board approved an agreement to have Fresno Metropolitan Ministry implement a Pathways Community Hub intended to build a community health worker network in Kings County using enhanced laboratory capacity grant funds; supervisors asked for details about local hiring, funding flow and sustainability.
The Kings County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 approved an agreement for Fresno Metropolitan Ministry (FMM) to implement a Pathways Community Hub intended to establish an evidence‑based community health worker network serving Kings County residents.
The program will be funded with the board’s previously approved enhanced laboratory capacity (ELC) expansion grant and covers services through June 30, 2026, according to Nicholas Montoya, program manager with the Kings County Department of Public Health. Montoya said unused ELC funds must be spent by the grant end date.
The hub model will contract with local community‑based organizations (CBOs) to operate care coordination for Kings County residents, provide community health worker certification training, and help local partners secure Medi‑Cal reimbursement for CalAIM‑approved services. Montoya said FMM will provide at least one full‑time equivalent staff member dedicated 100% to Kings County and will act as the administrative entity for Medi‑Cal billing and reimbursement.
Board members pressed Montoya for specifics on local participation and where money will flow. Montoya said the agreement requires at least two Kings County CBOs to participate and that the hub will aim to direct most of the funds to local CBOs. He gave an administrative cost estimate to FMM “a little bit less than $400,000” over the 18‑month period and said the program is structured so reimbursement dollars can flow back to CBOs once billing begins. Montoya also said FMM will work to secure additional funding and Medi‑Cal reimbursement to sustain services after the ELC grant ends.
The item was on the consent calendar and was approved as part of that motion. The board recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the consent calendar.
Supporters at the board meeting framed the hub as a way to build local capacity for community health worker services, while supervisors sought assurances that the model will employ local CBOs and that funds will reach Kings County residents.
Montoya noted that managed care plans currently contract with certain regional providers for community health worker services and that no Kings County CBO is yet running an evidence‑based hub model; the agreement with FMM is intended to change that by training and certifying local partners.
The board did not take additional motions on the item; the agreement moves forward under the terms described in the public presentation.
