CHAD Connection February 1, 2024

The first Friday of every February is National Wear Red Day! Encourage everyone in your organization to wear red this Friday, February 2, and help raise awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and is largely preventable. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, and white men. For women from the Pacific Islands and Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic women, heart disease is second only to cancer.

About half of all Americans have at least 1 of 3 predominant risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or current smoking. In addition, multiple other increasingly common factors increase heart disease risk. These include having diabetes, being overweight, eating an unhealthy diet, being less physically active, and drinking too much alcohol. Health centers can reinforce the importance of heart health by promoting and educating the public and their patients on the importance of healthy lifestyle habits, regular visits to their primary care provider, and regular blood pressure checks. Additionally, the Great Plains Health Data Network Clinical Advisory Committee has identified controlling high blood pressure as a clinical priority measure. In 2022, health centers participating in the Great Plains Health Data network reported that 62.9% of patients with hypertension had a blood pressure that was in control (less than 140/90). The committee has set a goal for 65 percent of patients aged 18-85 years living with hypertension to have well-controlled blood pressure (less than 140/90) by 2026. 

As with all health promotion and disease prevention strategies, minimizing risks for heart disease isn’t achieved only between individuals and their healthcare providers. The conditions in the environments where people live their daily lives are critical to reduce risk. These social drivers of health play a leading role in one’s opportunity to lead a healthier lifestyle. Simply promoting healthy choices is not enough. Health Centers better support patients faced with social challenges by asking about their social history, referring them to local support services, and facilitating access to affordable healthcare and nutritious foods.

In recognition of American Heart Month CHAD and the American Heart Association will be presenting a 3-part webinar training series beginning February 6th on evidence-based strategies and action steps for blood pressure control. Sessions will focus on the MAP BP framework: Measure Accurately, Act Rapidly, and Partner with Patients. All three components of M, A, and P are essential to achieving improved blood pressure control, and together provide a systematic and phased approach to implement quality improvement in hypertension. This training will include specific data reports and measures available within Azara DRVS to support improvements in care delivery.

To participate in Leveraging the MAP BP Framework to Improve Hypertension Outcomes training series you may register here.

Heart Health Resources:

The North Dakota Primary Care Office within North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is excited to announce the launch of the 2024 North Dakota Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program application cycle. The North Dakota Health Service Corps comprises four statewide support-for-service programs that provide financial support to selected health care providers who work in/with underserved communities and populations.

North Dakota reminds new graduates and current practicing health care professionals who have honed their skills and talents here “at home” that promising careers in health care exist in North Dakota. North Dakota can assist with loan repayment opportunities for qualifying health care professionals. We’d love you to stay.

Who is eligible?
Professionals eligible for these support-for-service programs include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, registered nurses, pharmacists, licensed addiction counselors, licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers, registered nurses, and behavioral analysts. Please refer to each individual loan repayment program for more information on the eligible disciplines and qualifications.

How to apply?
Please check out North Dakota Primary Care Office website for information on the individual loan repayment programs, qualifications, and application requirements. Applications are open from January 15, 2024, to March 31, 2024.

The CHAD Navigators represented Get Covered South Dakota at the 27th Annual Sioux Falls Farm Show which took place January 24-26. This unique setting provided opportunities to connect to a variety of individuals and groups not covered by traditional employer-sponsored health insurance. Stories were shared by small business owners that could not afford to provide sponsored coverage for their employees, self-employed family farmers, and individuals seeking to retire before the age of 65 and in need of affordable health insurance options.

Many agricultural producers were acutely aware of the importance of health insurance given the dangerous nature of working around large equipment, animals, and exposure to natural elements, but expressed confusion and frustration regarding navigating health insurance options alone. The Navigator team had over 200 individualized, meaningful conversations with consumers and has several appointments on the books to assist ag producers and their families in obtaining high-quality, low-cost health insurance because of the outreach conducted at the Farm Show.

This publication is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,200,000 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center

The Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center is awarding up to 12 organizations funding for leadership opportunities for professionals working in public health or community health. The mini-grant requests can range from $5,000 - $60,000 and are intended to fund the development and offering of learning opportunities for public health or community health professionals in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, or Wyoming. Applications are due by February 16, 2024. For more information, please see the Call for Proposals.

South Dakota Tobacco Control Program

The South Dakota Tobacco Control Program (TCP) has opened two funding applications. One for Tobacco Youth & Community Engagement, and the other for Tobacco Disparities. The funding awarded can be up to $25,000. Applications close on March 15, 2024. For more information, please see the Request for Applications.

SD Department of Health’s Cancer Programs

The SD Department of Health’s Cancer Programs have announced an Implementation Grant Request for Applications. The programs are seeking applications that support the 2021-2025 SD Cancer Plan, focus on evidence-based intervention implementation, and promote equitable and accessible cancer prevention, early detection, and cancer survivorship efforts in South Dakota. The RFA aligns with the South Dakota Prevention Framework. Applicants may request up to $25,000. Applications close March 15, 2024.

South Dakota Department of Health’s Opioid Program

The South Dakota Department of Health’s Opioid Program is pleased to announce the release of the Overdose Data to Action – States (OD2A-S) Community Health Work Program Request for Applications (RFA). The Opioid Program is soliciting applications from organizations that employ an existing Community Health Worker (CHW) or a Community Health Representative (CHR) in South Dakota to assist with the goals outlined in the OD2A-S Workplan. Applicants may request up to $15,000 per CHW or CHR employee per project period. Applications are due by March 15, 2024.

Role-Based Series: DRVS for Quality Improvement, Part 1

The QI Director is often at the helm when it comes to setting up DRVS for success. Matching the right tools to the right role for the right situation and goals can be tricky. In this first session, we will review the elements of DRVS that are foundational to your success. You guessed it - we're talking about data validation and data hygiene! We'll start by reviewing the importance of data validation and establishing a data hygiene infrastructure at your practice. We will then review additional functionalities that support validation, including Mapping Admin, Data Health Dashboards, and Breakout Measures. This webinar is recommended for team members focused on quality improvement.      

Thursday, February 8

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Role-Based Series: DRVS for Quality Improvement, Part 2 

The QI Director is often at the helm when it comes to setting up DRVS for success. Matching the right tools to the right role for the right situation and goals can be tricky. In this second session, we will focus on strategies for configuring and customizing DRVS to advance your practice's unique priorities and goals. During this session, we will review functionalities such as Alert Admin, Provider Groups, Cohorts, Report Customization, and DRVS for PCMH. This webinar is recommended for team members focused on quality improvement.

Thursday, February 15

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

CHAD Hypertension Training - MAP BP - February 6, 20, and March 5 | 12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT
Join Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas and the American Heart Association for a new training series focused on evidence-based strategies and action steps for blood pressure control. Sessions will focus on the MAP BP framework: Measure Accurately, Act Rapidly, and Partner with Patients. All three components of M, A, and P are essential to achieving improved blood pressure control, and together provide a systematic and phased approach to implement quality improvement in hypertension. This training will include specific data reports and measures available within DRVS to support improvements in care delivery. To register for this webinar, please click here.

Virtual Living Your Best Life (with Diabetes): Train-The-Trainer – February 15-16, 9:00 am-1:00 pm CT/8:00 am-12:00 pm MT

Living Your Best Life (with Diabetes) is an interactive curriculum focused on helping people with diabetes and pre-diabetes more fully understand their condition and learn how to THRIVE each and every day by engaging in positive self-management strategies. This training is ideal for providers, nurses, care coordinators, outreach workers, medical assistants, front desk staff, or anyone who has interest in facilitating patients with diabetes in their self-management journey. To register for this webinar, please click here.

CHAD Network Team and Workgroup Meetings

Tuesday, February 6 @ 12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT – Behavioral Health Work Group
Wednesday, February 7 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – CHAD/GPHDN Clinical Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 8 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – HR/Workforce Network Team Meeting
Monday, February 12 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – Operational Excellence/Compliance Workgroup Meeting
Tuesday, February 13 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – Communications & Marketing Network Team
Wednesday, February 14 @ 12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT – Care Coordination and Care Management Peer Group