SACRAMENTO, Calif. and BERKELEY, Calif., July 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- In a significant step towards advancing equity
and accessibility in California's
emergency medical services (EMS), the CARESTAR Foundation and
California Emergency Medical
Services Authority (EMSA) are pleased to announce a two-year,
$400,000 strategic grant. This
funding directly supports EMSA's equity priorities within its new
10-year EMS System Strategic Plan, furthering the organization's
vision for a more equitable, effective, and innovative EMS system
throughout the state.
"Every Californian deserves access to high-quality,
patient-centered care, regardless of their zip code or
socioeconomic status," said Tanir Ami, CEO of the CARESTAR
Foundation. "This grant represents a critical investment in the
future of California's EMS system,
one that prioritizes equity, transparency, and community-driven
solutions. We are proud to support EMSA in this groundbreaking
effort to reimagine emergency care for all Californians."
"This funding will support initiatives focused on improving
equity and accessibility and person-centered EMS care in
California," said EMSA Director
Elizabeth Basnett. "By defining
equity, creating an equity framework, and assessing the equity and
accessibility of EMS patient care, we will begin building a
baseline understanding of successes and opportunities for
improvement."
Funding will be used to support three primary
initiatives:
- Defining Equity and Transparency: EMSA will lead statewide
discussions to create definitions for equity, transparency, and
resilience in EMS, and develop an equity metrics framework to allow
for comprehensive analysis and ongoing monitoring of the California
EMS system. This analysis will be used to inform policy decisions
to address racial inequalities and inaccessibility.
- Enhancing Community Paramedicine and Triage to Alternate
Destinations: The project will update toolkits for Community
Paramedicine (CP) and Triage to Alternate Destinations (TAD) in
alignment with AB 767 (Community Paramedicine or Triage to
Alternate Destination Act). It will also support EMSA to host
regional workshops to encourage additional development of these
important programs.
- Hosting a Data Summit: In 2025, EMSA will organize a data
summit to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among
stakeholders to improve equity in EMS care. Proposed modules will
include improving equity, CP, TAD, STEMI Stroke, EMS for children,
and ambulance off-load times.
About the CARESTAR Foundation:
The CARESTAR
Foundation is a philanthropic organization reimagining emergency
and prehospital care in California
to elevate community voice and power, build a movement, and be a
catalyst for systems change. CARESTAR partners with innovators to
enable strong and meaningful work transforming the field of
emergency and prehospital care so all Californians can receive
equitable, unified, compassionate care where and when they need it.
Connect with the CARESTAR Foundation on LinkedIn or visit
carestarfoundation.org.
About CA EMSA:
EMSA is responsible for the
equitable coordination, administration, and integration of the
statewide emergency medical services system to reduce suffering and
save lives throughout California.
Connect with us on LinkedIn or visit emsa.ca.gov.
CONTACT: Linda Wendel,
general@carestarfoundation.org
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SOURCE CARESTAR Foundation