A partnership between Addus Home Care and the National Minority Health Association could result in thousands more COVID-19 shots in the arms of residents living in medically underserved communities.

Addus is joining NMHA to support the Flex for Checks program which rewards home care workers with cash incentives when they induce patients, friends and family members to get vaccinated. 

“Our organization is committed to the safety of our patients and employees, so when this opportunity came up to work with NMHA to accelerate vaccination in underserved areas, we were excited to participate,” Addus President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Bickham said.

Flex for Checks is a community-based program that was developed through a $11.1 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. That money is part of $125 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Health Human Services Department’s American Rescue Plan to build a community-based workforce that shares information about the coronavirus.

Through Flex for Checks, home care workers receive $25 for every person who gets vaccinated and registers with the worker’s Flex for Checks ID. There is no limit to the amount of money the care worker can earn. Referrals who receive COVID-19 vaccinations also receive $150 for two shots.

Approximately 1,400 home care and home healthcare agencies nationwide are participating in the program. The NMHA is also planning to launch a COVID-19 assessment tool that will help at-risk populations better determine their individual risk of sickness and potential death from the coronavirus.

This article originally appeared on McKnights Home Care