Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Paramedicine topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bangor panel green-lights Cole Foundation grant to launch community paramedicine and ratifies office space for case managers
Summary
The committee approved accepting a $243,225 Cole Foundation grant to start a community paramedicine program and ratified a memorandum with Wabanaki Public Health for low-cost office space for intensive case managers; council also accepted smaller foundation payments to staff accounts.
The Governor Outreach Committee agreed Tuesday to accept a $243,225 grant from the Cole Foundation to start a community paramedicine program intended to provide follow-up care for people recently discharged from Saint Joseph’s Hospital, assist residents with chronic conditions and serve people whose health is affected by housing instability and lack of insurance.
"The community paramedicine program is a paramedicine professional who does not respond to EMS calls. They actually respond to community need," Speaker 4 said while outlining partners on the project, which include St. Joe’s and CCPM, and a planned collaboration with the fire department and EMS. Councilors were told the position could begin recruitment in January and that staff are drafting a job description.
The committee also ratified a memorandum of agreement with Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness to provide centrally located office space for intensive case managers at $395 per month. Speaker 4 told the committee that rent “is coming out of the grant funding” and that the amount was included in the provided budget. Michael Beck, the committee chair, called for a motion; after a second there was no objection and the chair recorded passage.
Separately, the committee authorized the city manager to accept $625 from the MaineHealth Access Foundation to compensate a public‑health staff member for technical assistance on an evaluation project; Speaker 4 said the money would be added to the city’s general fund.
Why it matters: The grants and office arrangement fund outreach and case‑management staff who work directly with people experiencing housing instability and with people at higher risk of health emergencies. Committee members emphasized the grants are intended to supplement — not replace — primary care and that staff will pursue billing and sustainability planning so programs can continue beyond one‑time grants.
What’s next: Staff said they will recruit for the community paramedicine position once the job description is complete and will return with operational details on using the new office space and progress on billing plans for clinic services.
