Page 29 - 2021 MHA Start-up Guide

• With which community programs will you partner?
• How will you integrate with these programs to prevent redundancies in care?
• Will you engage in formal, contracted partnerships or informal relationships?
• What resources can they provide on your behalf (i.e., marketing or social
media outreach, scheduling, waivers and permission forms)

• What kind of restrictions will be placed on your ability to diagnose or treat?
• Is there equipment that cannot be transported?
• Does your program’s malpractice insurance restrict your scope of care (e.g.,
no surgery or obstetrics)?
• Are there regulatory restrictions on your practice (e.g., no distribution of
medications)?
• How will you be able to maintain records within a mobile vehicle?
• How will you address connectivity for client data and image storage and
transfer?
• How many staff members can fit comfortably and safely on the vehicle?

Sustainability and growth strategy
This section of your business plan should demonstrate the preparations you’ve made to ensure
service over an extended period of time . The fact that your clients lack access to other forms of
health care means that it would be a patient or client catastrophe should your Program abruptly
shutter . The plans you make now will prevent that from happening, and can even pave the way
for future growth .

The key is flexibility. Sustainable and scalable programs:

Start small. Just because you have the opportunity to put two vehicles into service right away
doesn’t mean you should. Iron out the wrinkles first. Choose one vehicle, service a limited area,
and use it as a proof of concept .

Diversify their funding sources. If your program doesn’t receive funding from a parent organi-
zation like a hospital, it may be tempting to find one large grantor to take care of that total at the
bottom of your budget . Problem is, if that grant disappears, or if the grantor’s mission changes,
you could be left with no option but to radically alter your program .

Cross-train staff. An efficient mobile program will leverage the minimum number of people to
perform the maximum number of functions safely and effectively. That may mean training your
driver to perform X-rays, or leaning on a counselor to also do intake . Scaling this way will allow
you to grow without being buried by overhead costs .

Iterate on partner and your business plans. Be sure to revisit your original Business Plan each
time you expand or make changes to your Program . It may be that the needs of your community
have changed, or your new service area has a completely different set of challenges. Or it may
just be time to refresh your service model .

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