WESTMINSTER — Vermont Health Connect recently awarded a $45,000 grant to Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) to continue to act as a Health Navigator for Windham and Windsor counties, according to a news release.
SEVCA has been involved in the Navigator program, since its start-up, as a member of a statewide team of Community Action Agencies helping people sign up for health insurance through the Health Exchange or submit Medicaid/Dr. Dynasaur applications.
The collaboration focused on low-income families and individuals, and helped thousands of uninsured households obtain health insurance coverage, according to the news release.
This year, SEVCA said it submitted an independent application as a local-level organization, rather than being part of a larger statewide collaboration. This enabled SEVCA to apply for a larger amount of funding than it had received in the past, and its award increased by 25 percent.
As a result, it should be able to assist even more people than it has previously. Low-income households are a priority population for the Navigator program, and “SEVCA is well-positioned to continue to help these families understand their health insurance options and to choose a program most beneficial to their circumstances,” according to the news release.
“The great news about this award is that we are able to retain our tremendously skilled and caring Navigator without interruption,” Steve Geller, SEVCA's Executive Director, said in the news release. “And the increased funding means we'll be able to provide even more outreach and services to areas that were underserved previously.”