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As we plan for the year ahead, CHAD is excited to share an update on how we’ll be supporting—and celebrating—our incredible health center teams in 2026.
After thoughtful consideration, CHAD will not host an annual conference in 2026. We know the past few years have brought financial pressures, workforce shortages, and shifting priorities to every corner of our health center community. Rather than add to the strain, we’re choosing a path that allows us to stay focused, flexible, and deeply aligned with what matters most right now.
Instead of one large annual event, CHAD will host a series of targeted, in-person convenings, starting with the Great Plains Clinically Integrated Network (GPCIN) Summit & Strategy Meeting on April 28–30 in Rapid City,
SD.
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Health Centers Weigh in on Interim Oral Health Study
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On November 18, the North Dakota Legislature Interim Health Care Committee heard presentations from stakeholders as part of an oral health study examining the unmet dental and oral health care needs of low-income children, Native American children, and individuals with disabilities.
Nadine Boe, CEO of Northland Health Centers, and Dr. Ben Huber, Dental Director at Family HealthCare, attended the meeting and presented information about the work they are doing at their health centers. Dr. Huber shared information about Family’s dental student rotation program and mobile dental unit, as well as the importance of student
loan repayment programs for attracting dentists. Nadine presented about rural dental needs and the importance of adding a dental benefit for individuals on Medicaid Expansion. Kim Kuhlmann, North Dakota External Affairs Manager, shared about CHAD’s role in facilitating the ND Oral Health Coalition (ND OHC) and how the work of health centers aligns with the goals of the coalition to improve oral health access.
Ten members of the ND OHC presented during the meeting, including: ND Medicaid, ND Oral Health Program, ND Indian Affairs Commission, ND Dental Association, CHAD, Bridging the Dental Gap, Ronald McDonald House Charities Bismarck Care Mobile, North Dakota State Board of Dental Examiners, Northland Health Centers, and Family
HealthCare.
The Interim Health Care Committee plans to discuss the study more at their next meeting, which is likely to take place in February.
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Navigators Host Successful Enrollment Event
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Our Get Covered South Dakota team spent two days in Rapid City hosting in-person enrollment support and community workshops to help individuals and families get affordable health coverage for 2026. It was a major success!
We completed a record number of enrollments in two days, schedule several virtual appointments for the following week, and scored a few testimonials!
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Rapid City Open Enrollment Event Takeaways
from Brittany Zephier, Navigator Project Manager,
and Emily Haberling, Outreach & Enrollment Navigator
- The recent enrollment event was a huge reminder of why this work matters. We saw a mix of people, some who had never heard of the Marketplace before, some re-enrolling, and others who received notices stating their premiums were expected to increase this year and wanted help completing their enrollment correctly.
- People want support more than ever this year whether it’s virtual or in-person.
- People want someone they trust who can break things down clearly and make sure things are done correctly or talking through plan options.
- Rapid City Consumer Testimonial: ⬇️
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Before scheduling an appointment with a navigator my family of 3 and I were expecting our
plan to increase by $900 in 2026. My husband is a business owner, and we did not realize that there were areas of the profile that were important for us to fill out in relation to business expenses. After speaking in person with a navigator, we were able to identify our error, correct it, and finish our application with a minimal price increase for the year. We were extremely relieved because we were considering not purchasing any insurance, and that would have been very dangerous for us. The support of our navigator and her team made enrollment process personable, understandable, and accessible.
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- Career Learning Center of the Black Hills Testimonial: ⬇️
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“
We are grateful to have partnered with the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas during the health care marketplace enrollment period. This partnership not only strengthens the health of our students and their families, but it supports the West River workforce and our health care system.
Having CHAD come to our classroom and explain the marketplace, enrollment process, and answer questions was a necessary service to our students. Not only did they understand more about the health care system in the United States, but they were also able to ask important questions that were relevant to their personal
experiences and needs. During the workshop, nine of the students were able to enroll for a good plan for them and their families. Having the navigators come to our classroom and be able to work in person with each person was part of what made this collaboration a great success!
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Advocacy 101 Webinar:
Preparing for State Legislative Sessions Webinar
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As state legislative sessions approach, now is the time to prepare your team, strengthen your advocacy strategy, and ensure your health center’s voice is heard. Workforce policies, behavioral health initiatives, Medicaid payment, and countless other issues have a profound effect on health centers’ ability to serve patients.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm CT | 10:00 am – 11:00 MT
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Explore CHAD’s Resources Page
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The CHAD Resources webpage is your one-stop hub for tools, templates, webinars, and guidance designed to support health centers across North Dakota and South Dakota. From clinical quality and integrated services to marketing, HR, and finance, the page offers practical materials to help health centers work smarter and serve their communities better.
It also features on-demand webinars, peer learning
opportunities, and links to external resources—all aimed at keeping health centers up-to-date, improving operations, and promoting best practices. Check out the Resources page regularly to discover new tools and support that can make a real difference in your day-to-day work.
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Health Centers in the News
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Plain
Talk interviewed CHAD CEO, Shelly Ten Napel, who warned that without renewed federal subsidies, health insurance premiums in the Dakotas could sharply increase.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting interviewed CHAD CEO, Shelly Ten Napel, noting that with the end of enhanced premium tax credits, ACA marketplace premiums are set to rise substantially.
Horizon Health announced they have promoted Elk Point provider Traci McDonald to Director of Behavioral Health for the organization.
KFYR-TV reported that Northland Health Centers announced that nurse practitioner Tasha Leier earned her certification as a medical examiner, and a new location in Minot to take DOT medical exams.
The ANAC (Association of Nurses in AIDS Care) interviewed Jessica Buckley of Complete Health to highlight the urgent HIV-related challenges facing rural communities and recognize the vital work of providers improving access and reducing stigma.
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Upcoming Partner Trainings
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FTCA Deeming Process Listening Sessions
CHAD encourages health centers to attend the upcoming Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) deeming application process listening sessions to share feedback on what is working and what parts still have room for improvement. If you prepare FTCA deeming or redeeming applications for your health center, please consider registering and attending one of two upcoming listening sessions.
Wednesday, December 10
3:00 – 4:00 pm ET
Thursday, December 11
Noon – 1:00 pm ET
NACHC's New Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Webpage
Does your pharmacy bill or work with contract pharmacies to dispense Medicare Part D drugs? If so, check out NACHC's new Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) webpage for resources to ensure compliance with requirements starting in the new year and to understand
how these new policies will impact your CHC. NACHC will be hosting a webinar on December 10, to share more information about the IRA, which includes Medicare Drug Price Negotiation that will be effective January 1, 2026.
Thursday, December 10
1:00 pm CT | 12:00 pm MT
Using Age-Friendly Practices to Improve Care for Older Adults
This webinar was created in partnership with the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders. Older adults are the fastest-growing patient group served by health centers, underscoring the need for integrated care approaches that address the complex medical, social, and economic challenges they may experience in later life. This presentation will explore how age-friendly approaches can enhance care quality and outcomes for older patients and offer practical strategies to integrate these principles into daily practice.
Any Region VIII Health Center staff member interested in learning about age-friendly practices and improving care for older adults. This event is free for participants.
Presenter: Arielle Mather, MPH, Senior Program Manager from National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
Thursday, January 15, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 pm CT | 12:00 – 1:00 pm MT
Region VIII Maternal Health Summit
Addressing maternal health is a federal priority area, and many community, state, and federal partners are actively engaging in a variety of initiatives throughout Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. CHAMPS is hosting an online convening of health center and maternal health experts, to foster efficient cross-program collaborations and to
share evidence-based models or promising practices that support improved maternal health.
Health center clinical and enabling services staff, state and local health officials, and individuals from maternal health community organizations are encouraged to attend. This event is FREE for participants.
Thursday, January 22, 2026
10:00 am – 2:45 pm CT | 9:00 am – 1:45 pm MT
Each online session is 45 minutes long and each session begins on the hour. Participants may attend individual sessions or the whole day.
CHAMPS/RMPHTC Leadership Program
The CHAMPS/RMPHTC Leadership Program: A Collaboration with Coleman Associates’ High Impact Management Program™ is a journey designed by Coleman Associates to grow leaders and strengthen teams. It begins with an individual self-assessment to measure current performance in five key areas, followed by a tailored Region VIII Kick-off Training Day to introduce practical tools and set a
strong foundation. Following the kick-off, participants complete short, actionable learning assignments and join eleven national Cohort Learning Sessions to share wins, solve challenges, and apply real-world strategies. The program wraps up with a Region VIII Capstone Session and post-assessment.
The CHAMPS/RMPHTC Leadership Program will take place via Zoom January 29 through June 18, 2026. A Half-Day Kick-off Session for CHAMPS and RMPHTC participants will take place on Thursday, January 29 8AM-12PM | 9AM-1PM CT. Then, throughout February-May, participants will attend eleven one-hour Cohort Learning Sessions with the High Impact Management Program™. Finally, CHAMPS and RMPHTC
participants will attend a Capstone Session on June 18, 2026 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm CT | 12:00 - 1:30 pm MT.
This training was created for leaders at health centers and public health agencies in Region VIII. These leaders should have strategic responsibilities within their organizations.
The registration fee is $400 per registrant from a Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY) community health center or public
health department. This fee is highly subsidized through the generous support of the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center. A limited number of partial scholarships ($150 off) may be available to Region VIII public health participants and to CHAMPS Organizational Members.
RM-PHTC's Facilitation Foundations Course
Registration is open for the Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center’s winter run of Facilitation Foundations—a highly interactive, deep-dive course designed for those new to facilitation.
Over 10 weeks, you’ll build your capacity to facilitate meetings and coalitions that are efficient, effective, and lead to results. Through hands-on activities, you’ll:
- Discover your facilitation style and how it impacts group dynamics;
- Learn strategies to anticipate, prevent, and manage challenging situations; and
- Explore structured strategies
for idea generation, evaluation, and decision-making.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to help groups meet their goals and take ownership of the process.
Annual Regional Telehealth Conference
Registration will open soon. If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring, please contact gpTRAC directly to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so early inquiries are encouraged! For questions, contact Zoi P. Hills, Program Manager at hills069@umn.edu or call 612-384-3315 or 888-239-7092.
April 8–9, 2026
Hyatt Regency, Bloomington, MN (near Mall of America)
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UDS Questions? Get answers during UDS Open Q&A Sessions!
The Azara Support Team will be hosting a series of themed UDS open question hours to help ensure users' DRVS UDS experience is as clear and accurate as possible. Each session will focus on a subset of the UDS reports and highlight common mapping and data issues that centers may face. Attendees will be able to ask questions and have them answered live as well as be provided a validation checklist to guide their validation efforts.
Table 6b/7 Prenatal & Delivery
Tuesday, December 9
12:00 pm CT | 11:00 am MT
Register
Table 6b/7 Excluding Prenatal & Delivery
Tuesday, December 16
12:00 pm CT | 11:00 am MT
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As the Community
HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, we believe that everyone has a right to high-quality, reliable, affordable health care, regardless of where they live. We work with health centers, community leaders, and partners to increase access and improve health care services in areas of the Dakotas that need it most.
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This
publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,561,267.00 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov. CHAD makes available upon request its annual 990 report. Please make your request directly to the Director of Programs and Training at 605-309-0873.
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