About the Grant Program

In 2023, Mobile Healthcare Association invited its members to apply for up to $10,000 in funding to support the development, implementation, or enhancement of a mobile safety plan. Eligible programs were asked to submit applications detailing how the grant would be used to address their specific safety challenges. Funding was made possible through the generous support of The Leon Lowenstein Foundation.

Programs were encouraged to focus on a wide range of safety-related initiatives, such as:

• Conducting evaluations of safety needs
• Purchasing security cameras or new locks
• Providing de-escalation training for staff
• Allocating staff time for creating standard operating procedures

A panel of experts carefully reviewed submissions, and selected programs were awarded up to $10,000 each to help improve safety in their mobile clinics. These selected members also received the opportunity to showcase their program on the Association’s website, social media platforms, and in the quarterly newsletter.

2023 Grant Recipients

After a competitive selection process, the following mobile healthcare programs were awarded grants:

• Advocate Children’s Hospital
• Caring for Miami
• Eye Thrive
• Near North Health
• Premier Mobile Health Services
• Project Renewal
• The Night Ministry
• True Care (North County Health Project)

We are excited to share their success stories and how these programs have used their grants to strengthen safety measures.

Success Stories from the Field

Advocate Children’s Hospital
Park Ridge, Illinois

During this grant period, Advocate was able to purchase and install 360-degree exterior security cameras for its two mobile health vehicles, significantly improving safety for their teams and patients. The cameras provide a complete view around the vehicles, allowing drivers to monitor individuals approaching from any direction, particularly around the access door to the clinical space, which is located on the opposite side of the driver’s door. In addition to the cameras, they purchased walkie-talkies for their mobile teams and school partners, enabling instant communication between staff and school personnel. As a result, this has streamlined communication and increased safety, allowing the team to be quickly alerted to any issues happening inside or outside the school. The introduction of these items has not only addressed safety concerns but has also sparked broader discussions about updating safety protocols and emergency procedures, including weather emergencies and active shooter drills. The only challenge they encountered was coordinating the installation during the busy clinic schedule, but thanks to their vendor’s flexibility, they were able to install the cameras on-site without disrupting services. These improvements have made the team feel safer and more connected to the communities they serve, transforming how they approach safety in their mobile health program.

Caring for Miami
Palmetto Bay, Florida

Caring for Miami utilized its awarded grant funding to significantly enhance safety preparedness within its mobile dental clinic. Recognizing the importance of staff training, the organization implemented comprehensive training programs on active shooter response and de-escalation techniques. These initiatives not only improved the staff’s ability to respond to emergencies but also led to the creation of a detailed safety action plan. As a result, in addition to staff training, part of the funds was allocated to upgrading their security system, including installing a cutting-edge security system designed to ensure both staff and client safety during mobile clinic operations.

The following is a list of the key safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) they developed:

• Safety Action Plan
• De-escalating Angry Patient SOP
• Active Shooter SOP

Eye Thrive
St. Louis, Missouri

Eye Thrive recently utilized grant funding to address the need for robust safety protocols after experiencing an emergency lockdown during a school visit that highlighted gaps in their existing procedures. The grant allowed the organization to dedicate time and resources to developing 16 detailed safety protocols, covering scenarios such as lockdowns, inclement weather, fire evacuation, and conflict resolution. These protocols were meticulously crafted by the Mobile Vision Clinic team in collaboration with external experts to ensure comprehensive coverage and clarity for staff. Despite some challenges with staff turnover, Eye Thrive successfully completed and implemented several key protocols, laying a strong foundation for safer operations as they prepare to launch a second Mobile Vision Clinic by the end of 2025. As a result, this grant has empowered Eye Thrive to better protect its staff and the children it serves, enabling the organization to expand its impact while maintaining high safety standards.

The following is a list of the key safety protocols and they developed:

• Summer Visit Setup Break Down Protocol
• Pretest Protocol
• School Visits Setup Breakdown
• Staggered Closing Process Protocol (Millwell)
• MVC Fire Evacuation Protocol
• MVC Medical Emergency Protocol
• Physical Disturbance and Conflict Resolution Protocol
• MVC Passenger Protocol
• MVC Repair Protocol
• MVC Equipment Storage Protocol
• MVC Equipment Repair Protocol
• Fire Emergency Exit Strategy Protocol (Millwell)
• Inclement Weather Protocol
• Bodily Fluid and Hazardous Waste Disposal Protocol
• Injury Incident Report Form
• Lockdown Protocol for MVC

Near North Health
Chicago, Illinois

Near North Health recently utilized grant funding to enhance the safety and security of its mobile health staff, who serve underserved communities in Chicago facing challenges such as poverty, violence, and unemployment. During the grant period, advanced security camera systems were purchased and installed on mobile health vans, providing 360-degree surveillance with real-time monitoring and recorded footage stored for up to 30 days. This initiative addressed the critical need to protect staff working in high-risk environments, ensuring their safety and enhancing their ability to deliver healthcare with confidence. The new surveillance system has also improved accountability by documenting any incidents, fostering transparency and enabling faster issue resolution. Despite some logistical and technical challenges during installation, the project has been a success, providing safer working conditions and uninterrupted healthcare services to the community. As a result: Near North Health has reinforced trust with patients and streamlined operations, ensuring the continuous delivery of care to those who need it most.

Premier Mobile Health Services
Fort Myers, Florida

Premier Mobile Health Services recently implemented a series of security upgrades funded by their safety grant, ensuring a more secure and efficient working environment. A state-of-the art router with VPN Firewall was installed to provide secure remote access for off-site users and route mobile devices to the central office. To enhance data security, hardware security keys were installed on all laptops and desktops, and BitLocker was enabled on all Windows Professional computers. The facility’s wireless network was also upgraded with an access point that supports secure WiFi, including isolated guest and corporate VLANs. Additionally, a security camera was installed in the front office for enhanced surveillance. As a result, the staff received comprehensive training on these new measures, ensuring proper usage and understanding of best practices to maintain a secure network.

Project Renewal
New York, New York

Thanks to the generous funding, Project Renewal was able to enhance the safety and security of our fleet of mobile medical vans (MedVans) and improve the working conditions for staff serving vulnerable populations. We used the grant to purchase vital equipment, including back-up cameras, dual-facing dash cams, upgraded locks, and walkie-talkies, all of which contribute to the security of our staff and patients. The back-up cameras not only assist drivers with maneuvering the large vans in New York City’s challenging traffic but also provide 24/7 security footage. The walkie-talkies improved communication between MedVan staff and on-site teams, increasing overall safety. Additionally, our Director of Security conducted a “Verbal De-Escalation” training, tailored to the confined space of the MedVans, to better equip our staff to handle complex patient situations. As a result, these upgrades, alongside the training, have strengthened staff confidence and patient trust, allowing us to provide consistent, high-quality care to the homeless and underserved populations we serve. Despite minor disruptions during installation, these improvements have bolstered the long-term functionality and security of our MedVans, ensuring that staff and patients can continue to receive care in a safe and supportive environment.

The Night Ministry
Chicago, Illinois

Operating in Chicago, The Night Ministry faced a growing problem of catalytic converter theft, which severely impacted their ability to provide consistent mobile health services. Without functioning catalytic converters, their mobile health units were unable to operate, jeopardizing critical health services to the community. 

With the help of the grant, The Night Ministry addressed this challenge head-on by purchasing and installing catalytic converter protective cases for their Outreach Buses. They also enhanced the security around their vehicles and premises by installing new security cameras. As a result, these measures not only improved safety but also ensured that their mobile units remained fully operational, allowing them to serve their clients without interruptions throughout the year.

True Care (North County Health Project)
San Marcos, California

TrueCare’s mobile units recently received vital safety upgrades through grant funding, addressing key concerns such as low visibility, security, and weather protection. This included the installation of improved lighting, alarm systems, weather-resistant canopies, and slip mats for waiting areas. Additionally, all mobile team members completed de-escalation training, equipping them to identify and respond to aggressive behaviors early. The training covered key techniques such as body language, verbal communication, and maintaining safe physical distances. As a result: disruptive patient interactions have significantly decreased, and the added weather protection has enhanced both staff and patient comfort. These improvements have not only boosted safety but also increased TrueCare’s capacity to serve more patients, with 1,218 individuals linked to care during the grant period—double the number from the previous year. This grant has empowered TrueCare to expand service hours and locations, enhancing their community impact.

Conclusion

Safety is a top priority for mobile healthcare providers, and the 2023 Strengthening & Sustaining Mobile Healthcare Grant Program has empowered member organizations to take meaningful steps towards ensuring the well-being of their staff and clients. Whether through innovative security measures or comprehensive staff training, the grant recipients have set a high standard for mobile healthcare safety.

We congratulate all the winners and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact of their efforts in the years to come!

Stay Connected:

For more updates on grants, member stories, and mobile healthcare resources, follow the Mobile Healthcare Association on our social platforms and subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.