The Peer Health Navigator Program serves vulnerable populations with
barriers to accessing and obtaining appropriate health care who are more
likely to have poor health outcomes. The Health Navigator program assists
in addressing these barriers and improving health outcomes for underserved
and vulnerable populations in need of healthcare including persons with
mental illness, financially disadvantaged (low-income and homeless), veterans
and older adults.
This program's primary focus is on physical health. Mental health is a
component as physical and mental health are interrelated. Clients are
recruited through our outreach team's efforts and collaborative partnerships.
We are part of a county-wide collaborative of health and other service
organizations focused on targeting vulnerable and underserved populations
in need. We partner with the Ventura County Medical Center/Healthcare
Agency, Ventura County Behavioral Health, St. John's Regional Medical
Center, Community Memorial Health System, Ventura County Public Health,
Ventura County Human Services Agency, Veterans Administration, non-profit
community-based organizations, and local municipal services among other
partners. Referrals are made to Turning Point by these agencies. We collaborate
with diverse sectors of the community including government, healthcare,
business and faith-based organizations to maximize limited resources in
order to meet health and wellness needs.
Peer Health Navigator case managers and counselors provide the services
and activities listed below that address healthcare needs and improve
health outcomes of program participants (clients).
• Develop an individualized
healthcare plan with each client.
• Arrange for TB tests and follow-up appointments.
• Assist clients in health insurance enrollment.
• Coordinate physician visits and other medical, mental health and
substance abuse treatment/appointments/services.
• Arrange transportation and/or provide transportation to healthcare
appointments and related services as needed.
• Provide ongoing follow-up with clinics, healthcare providers/services
and clients to ensure follow through with referred, prescribed, or recommended
treatments/activities and progress toward healthcare goals and outcomes.
• Coordinate care among providers, provide on-going communication
with medical/healthcare providers and patients (clients/program participants)
to ensure follow through on treatment, medication adherence and coordination
of care.
• Provide emotional support to alleviate fears and barriers to accessing
and obtaining needed healthcare and following treatment plans, activities,
and services to improve health outcomes.
• Provide health education to enhance health literacy. Assists clients
in obtaining other needed goods and services that contribute to a healthy
life and overall well-being to improve health outcomes.
• Conduct a 6-month follow-up with all clients to evaluate healthcare
needs, progress toward health goals and health outcomes.
• Update healthcare plans accordingly.
Maintain detailed records to track healthcare plan progress and health
outcomes on all clients.
• Information is collected on the above activities and entered in
the medical section of the client chart and electronic medical record
in KIPU (electronic medical records software system).
• Coordinate healthcare assessments to be conducted (initial physical
health, mental health, and substance abuse assessments) for each new client.
