The health department’s mobile health van had its ribbon cutting in April. The van is now beginning services.
City of Snohomish photo
The Snohomish County Health Department has launched a mobile health unit which will be deployed across the county to bring health care services directly to people.
It will provide immunizations, STI testing, and private consultation spaces, addressing the challenges many face in accessing healthcare.
“We modeled it on the Washington State Department of Health’s mobile van program,” Katie Curtis, the department’s Prevention Services Division Director, said.
Curtis, explained the initiative’s origin: “The idea came from lessons we learned during COVID. We saw how difficult it was for people without transportation to reach vaccination sites. A mobile van allows us to travel anywhere in the county to provide services like immunizations or testing,” she shared.
Those lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, where setting up vaccination sites in various locations, such as tents or existing buildings, highlighted the need for more mobile services. The health department realized that many people in underserved areas faced barriers to accessing traditional healthcare facilities. The mobile unit will help bridge this gap by offering a range of services directly to communities that need them most.
By traveling to local communities, the unit brings vital healthcare services to those who might otherwise have difficulty reaching traditional clinics or hospitals. In April, staff were familiarizing themselves with the large mobile unit and learning from successful programs implemented by other counties, including Skagit and San Juan. The mobile health unit is designed to increase healthcare access across Snohomish County, especially in areas with limited facilities.
The mobile health unit is funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA),
The initial areas for service deployment will target
locations with limited healthcare access, aiming to provide services in what could be considered a ‘healthcare desert’ similar to food deserts.
The program’s initial focus will be on East County, which has significant gaps in healthcare access, Curtis said. The Community Navigator Program, which works with 20 local organizations, will help determine where resources are most needed. This collaboration will allow the department to better understand community needs and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
The Health Department has partnered with various community organizations to maximize the impact of the mobile unit. These partnerships include the Latino Education Training Institute, Nashi (Ukrainian and Russian-speaking immigrant health support group), and Volunteers of America. These collaborations will help ensure that the program reaches diverse populations and that services are accessible to all.
To make the mobile health services as accessible as possible, the department will use a dedicated website to announce dates and times for mobile unit visits. The program will also be promoted through social media and community partners to reach broad populations within the county. This includes collaborating with homeless service providers to ensure that vulnerable populations can also benefit from the services offered.
Currently, all services provided by the mobile health unit are free of charge, including immunizations and testing. The department is exploring strategies to increase healthcare access, despite the challenges posed by federal funding cuts. These cuts could limit the program’s ability to sustain operations in the future, and the department is looking into grant opportunities and flexible funding sources to ensure its long-term viability.
Securing funding for the mobile health unit’s ongoing operations is a major concern. While the initial purchase of the unit was funded through ARPA, the department is exploring additional funding options to ensure that the program can continue without disruption. This includes researching suitable grants and speaking with other health departments that have successfully maintained similar mobile van programs.
The department plans to release quarterly progress reports to update the community and stakeholders. Local and social media will be used to keep the public informed and engaged with the initiative.
Community involvement is a key element of the program’s success.
“We’re excited to be out in the community and welcome feedback from anyone who needs our services,” Curtis said.
In rural and underserved areas, where healthcare access is often limited, the mobile unit will provide a convenient way for people to access services without having to travel long distances. The unit is equipped to operate in all weather conditions, ensuring that services can be provided year-round.
A system will be put in place to gather community feedback, allowing residents to provide input both immediately and later. This will help the department assess the program’s effectiveness and make improvements as needed. “We’ll collect feedback and data from each event, and report on our successes and challenges,” Curtis said.
The introduction of the mobile health van is a groundbreaking move for the county, inspired by a similar program in Washington State.
