Projects

currently has a well-functioning Board of Directors and Project Director for its network planning grant.  Dan Peterson, MPA (the Project Director) has 30 years of management and grant writing experience.  The current Board Chairperson of GIVN has similar experience in state government.  The project team for the GIVN rural health planning grant includes these two individuals, two other local government leaders, and the project’s consultant/evaluator from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. GIVN has recently hired the project’s planner who is expected to remain a GIVN employee once additional funding is acquired.  The project’s work team will guide the project to ensure effective oversight. Thus, GIVN believes it is well qualified to fully implement its planning grant by September 29, 2025.

Based on the approved scope of work of the grant, GIVN will carry out nine major work activities during the 12 months of the grant.  These are as follows:  1.) Establish a website for the network and collect survey data throughout the grant, 2.) Complete a needs assessment to document current gaps in services and collect relevant information to be included in the network’s strategic plan, 3.) Hold 4 to 6 public meetings to gather public input on the needs of the service area; 4.) Meet with medical providers in the service area to document their concerns and staffing needs, 5.)  Assess collaboration between providers including accreditation status and use of evidence-based practices, 6.) Assess the para and professional training needs of providers, network members, and local agencies and seek funding to address these needs, 7.) Establish referral agreement between interested providers to improve patient access and payments to provider, 8.) Complete the project’s strategic plan to summarize and/or incorporate all data collected including an online resource directory, 9.) Complete the project’s external evaluation and report.  During and after the completion of the GIVN rural health network planning grant, the organization will continue to seek Federal, state, and foundation funding to address the needs of the service area.  Two additional goals approved by the GIVN in 2024 included establishing a medication-assisted treatment program for Northern Wisconsin and implementing regional training to facilitate program development across Northern Wisconsin.

           In addition to planning-related activities, the HRSA planning grant will allow GIVN to implement needed management systems to allow it to expand its services and address the immediate needs of its service population.   This includes pending IRS designation as non-profit organization, completion of tax returns and required audits, and necessary training of staff.  The most important activity to be carried out (in addition to the grant’s scope of work activities) will be sustainability. GIVN has plans to submit two small senior nutrition and health education grants by March 30, 2025, and has located funding sources.  GIVN has also requested funds from the Wisconsin Department of Health to implement training activities and establish a regional MAT program.  GIVN is hopeful funding will be provided for these activities during 2025.  The network also plans to seek additional HRSA funding as these grants become available.  The GIVN Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant is seen as an important springboard to facilitate the development of many needed and long overdue services for seniors, veterans, and low-income families living in rural areas of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.