CHAD Connection August 1, 2024

It is officially August, and that means National Health Center Week (NHCW) kicks off in just a few days! Throughout August 4 – 10, CHAD will join others nationwide in celebrating the commitment and passion of health center staff, board members, and supporters. This year, our theme is Champions of Community Health: Celebrating Health Center Impact. As the world celebrates the final week of the Olympics, we will be celebrating in our own unique way – by shining a spotlight on the champions of community health! And there certainly is much to celebrate. Health centers are valued for providing integrated primary, behavioral, and dental health care. In 2023, health centers in North Dakota and South Dakota:

Served more than 170,800 individuals across 53 communities;
Generated more than 2,000 local jobs; and
Provided 149,647 behavioral health visits locally.

Join in the fun during NHCW! Each member health center will receive a NHCW kit, full of games and promo items to foster fun and connection with your staff teams. In addition, you can:

Post to social media (To access the social media toolkit for health centers or the version for partners, contact Brandon Huether);
Follow along throughout the week on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn; and
Shop for health center swag (including T-shirts customized to your health center!) online at the CHAD Store.

In-Person Registration is Now Open
Join CHAD and Think 3D for LeadU, a new cohort-based training program designed to develop confident and intentional health care supervisors and managers. The training program will focus on three dimensions of growth: personal, professional, and potential. Participants will explore their leadership mindset and develop critical leadership and accountability skills. Lead U will kick off with a full day of in-person training sessions. Participants may also apply to continue their professional development by participating in an intensive virtual program with nine additional sessions.

LeadU Live Sessions:

September 11 – Chamberlain, SD
AmericInn – 1981 E King St, Chamberlain, SD 57325

September 18 – Fargo, ND
Armory Annex, 820 Center Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560

September 19 – Bismarck, ND
Bismarck State College – NECE Building Rooms 431-433 – 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506

LeadU Virtual Sessions

Registration for the virtual sessions will open after the conclusion of the final in-person session. Registration for virtual sessions will be open to in-person session attendees and will be limited to 40 participants. Virtual sessions will begin in late October.

Registration:
Members - $99

Non-Members $199

View the agenda and register here.

Effective for claims processed after July 1, 2024, South Dakota Medicaid has removed copays and cost sharing for services and recipients that were previously subject to these on their medical services. This change impacts services including prescription drugs, dental services, durable medical equipment, hospital services, physician services, clinic services, and other medical services currently subject to cost sharing. For claims processed after July 1, 2024 or later, providers should no longer request or attempt to collect Medicaid cost sharing from recipients. Medicaid reimbursement will no longer deduct a cost share amount. To learn more, visit the Department of Social Services website.

CHAD: What drew you to work for, and now lead, a community health center? What is your “why” for this work?

Erickson: At the time I was hired by Horizon, I wasn’t actively looking for a new job and was working in a public accounting firm doing bookkeeping, audits, and income tax preparation. We lived in the small rural community, and I commuted 30 minutes to work every day. I had been there for six years and started to get the itch to transition into the private sector. I stumbled across the CFO position at Horizon, through a client at the accounting firm who also happened to be on the board of Horizon. I ended up submitting an application but wasn’t even sure I was truly interested or whether or not I would even get an interview. When I was offered the CFO position, the decision to accept, honestly, was solely because this position with Horizon was a better job than my previous one in terms of compensation and work/life balance and being able to live and work in the same rural community. The next 20 years as the CFO for Horizon was really what developed my “why”. Over those 20 years, what started out as a better job quickly started to transition into a passion. A passion for the rural way of life, a passion for being invested in rural communities and doing everything I could to help sustain them, a passion for everyone that makes rural communities their home, and a desire to ensure my kids and grandkids have the same opportunity I did to choose whether to live, work, and raise their families in a rural community, without having to sacrifice access to healthcare services close to their home.

CHAD: How would you describe the role of NACHC in the health center movement?

Erickson: I have been involved with NACHC over my entire career, although it was pretty much limited to attending conferences for my first 15 years. As the years went by, I got to know NACHC, their staff, and other health center leaders across the country on a deeper level. It became obvious to me that it was more than an organization to which we belonged and paid dues. It was much bigger than that. It was a large family that shared the same passions I had. The respect that NACHC has earned from federal decision makers was evident and it was obvious how important and critical their work was to sustaining and growing the health center program and protecting access to health care for everyone. One of the biggest roles is their grassroots advocacy efforts. NACHC’s reach with health centers and the ability to rally so many voices in a unified message have been extremely impactful to have a seat at the table, telling our story as the largest primary health care provider network in the nation, and driving legislation and policy that directly impacts 31.5 million patients. As I was attending conferences, the energy that was felt upon returning started to drive my desire to get more involved and try to make an impact on a greater level, so I started out by getting involved in NACHC committees.

CHAD: What are you most looking forward to during your term on the NACHC board? What unique perspectives will you bring to the board based on your experience as a rural health center leader?

Erickson: As the CEO of a rural/frontier FQHC serving 27,000 patients across 28,000 square miles, I really want to utilize my position on the board to be a voice for rural communities. I have heard many times over my career how “if you have seen one community health center, you have seen one community health center”. That statement is so true, each community has different needs, challenges, and barriers to accessing high-quality, affordable healthcare, and they are much different in rural/frontier communities than in urban communities. Regardless of where you call home, everyone deserves access to healthcare, and I will be that voice that fights to ensure the rural way of life is always a part of the conversations.

New Access Points (NAP) funding supports new health center service delivery sites that expand primary health care for underserved communities. HRSA plans to make NAP awards in fiscal year (FY) 2025, if funding is available. Please note the following updates regarding this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO):

HRSA has modified the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to respond to applicant feedback by reducing the number of attachments included in the 90-count page limit.
HRSA extended the Phase 1 Grants.gov submission deadline to Friday, August 30, at 10:59 pm CT.
The submission deadline for HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) is unchanged; applications in EHBs are still due by 4:00 pm CT on Monday, September 30. You can start your application in EHBs as soon as you submit it to Grants.gov.
Visit the NAP TA webpage to access the NOFO (HRSA-25-085) and find resources to help develop your application.

CHAD is excited to announce the Get Covered Coalition – a group of passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring all South Dakotans have access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance and care. Together, Coalition members will increase awareness about the availability of affordable, comprehensive health coverage, connect people with the help they need to get enrolled, and work together to reduce the barriers that prevent people from getting covered – including ease of enrollment.

Two work groups will be established. One will focus on policy and advocacy efforts while the other will focus on collecting and sharing stories about how imperative Medicaid is for individuals and communities in South Dakota. Anyone interested in ensuring access to health insurance and care is welcome to join! 

A Coalition Launch Celebration will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Multi-Cultural Center in Sioux Falls with a virtual attendance option from 5:00-6:00 pm. Drinks and Hors d'oeuvres will be served. You can click to RSVP HERE. To learn more, contact Liz Schenkel.

The Back-to-School season is always a whirlwind for families—between finishing up summer activities and making sure backpacks are packed, there's a lot to do. One crucial thing not to overlook during this busy time is making sure kids have their check-ups and vaccinations up to date before heading back to class.

Not only is getting ready for back-to-school hectic, it’s expensive, too! For families with limited income, programs like Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and plans through the Marketplace are available to help offset the cost of care, like check-ups and vaccines. Being healthy is an essential component to being ready to learn.

Medicaid and CHIP go beyond basic check-ups; they support comprehensive care like mental health services, dental check-ups, and even eye exams. These services aren't just about physical health; they're about ensuring kids have every opportunity to thrive, both academically and socially. Determining eligibility and getting enrolled in these programs can feel like a daunting task alone, but help is available! Navigators are trained and certified insurance specialists who offer free support to individuals and families interested in getting enrolled in health insurance. Unlike insurance agents, Navigators are required to be unbiased and do not earn commissions from premiums, so families can feel confident they’re getting the best deal.

We can all lend a hand in helping families get connected to insurance and helping them start the school year off well. If you become aware of a child or family without insurance, you can change their life by referring them to a Navigator. Now that Medicaid has expanded and Medicaid copays have been eliminated, more people qualify for free services than ever before. For families with income beyond Medicaid and CHIP thresholds, four out of five consumers can get a Marketplace plan for under $10 per month. With affordable insurance, people are better able to seek preventative care, feel good, learn, and play.

As we get ready for another school year, we have an opportunity to help kids and families start the school year off right! Families can meet with a Navigator in North Dakota and South Dakota, apply for Medicaid and CHIP online through ND and SD, or visit healthcare.gov.

Leveraging Social Drivers of Health Functionality in DRVS

While social drivers of health (SDOH) have always played a central role in patient health outcomes, healthcare organizations are becoming increasingly focused on obtaining and acting on this information. Some of this motivation is driven by payer and policy makers who are factoring social needs into health care payment policies, suggesting that addressing socioeconomic and environmental challenges can reduce avoidable health care utilization and spending. During this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to explore functionalities available within DRVS that can help you evaluate your screening efforts, identify SDOH-related barriers to health, and connect patients to critical resources and services to drive improvement across the organization. This webinar is recommended for team members responsible for supporting patients with their social care needs, including Care Managers, Care Coordinators, and Community Health Workers.

Tuesday, August 6

12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT

Join us for a hands-on review of SDOH functionality within DRVS! Catch up on last week's webinar and come with your questions. Whether you’re already leveraging SDOH functionality within DRVS, or are eager to learn strategies for getting started, we’d love to see you there.

Thursday, August 8

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Using Data/Reports for Quality Improvement
Join us to learn how to use the latest UDS data reports for program management and quality improvement.

Wednesday, August 14
1:00-2:00 pm CT/2:00-3:00 pm ET
Registration page

Whether you’re new to UDS or looking to refine your expertise, we will provide strategies to optimize UDS data assets to support reporting practices. We will discuss these reports, which are/will be available in EHBs:

2023 UDS Report

UDS Summary Report

UDS Health Center Trend Report

UDS Health Center Performance Comparison Report

UDS State and National Rollup Reports

Running a Tight Ship: DRVS for Pharmacy Integration

How can we use data to further foster and support the needs of an integrated clinical setting? In what manner could you use this information to improve patient care, increase provider satisfaction or schedule patients more efficiently? While DRVS is often the first thought when it comes to quality improvement, we will explore the depths of how it can be used to elevate the use of pharmacists to support patient care. Join the conversation as we trim the sails and explore how Cabin Creek incorporated Pharmacists into their day-to-day operations to enhance patient and staff satisfaction amidst significant provider turnover. They used DRVS reporting tools to identify patients needing drug utilization reviews and polypharmacy while developing a systematic means to assist providers and care teams in expediting chart prep and advancing patient care. This webinar is recommended for pharmacy and care team members involved with direct patient care.

Thursday, August 15

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Managing Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights and Solutions for Improved Patient Care

Join us for a webinar focused on ways organizations can improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to the National Institute of Health, CKD affects over 37 million American adults and poses significant healthcare costs, particularly in advanced stages leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Our session will highlight how to leverage Azara solutions, including DRVS, Azara Patient Outreach, and Azara Care Connect, to facilitate the identification and screening of patients at risk for CKD, the identification of the undiagnosed population, and the management of patients with existing disease. These tools enable targeted outreach and facilitate necessary lab tests, empowering care teams to intervene early and effectively.

This webinar is recommended for healthcare professionals involved in care coordination, population health management, care management, and those responsible for identifying and tracking key patient populations. Whether you are a clinician, administrator, or part of the care team, join us to learn how to enhance patient outcomes through proactive CKD management.

Thursday, August 22

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Streamlining DRVS: Opportunities for Configuration

Once you’ve established a baseline understanding of DRVS, there are countless opportunities to optimize DRVS to achieve organizational goals and promote improvement. To set yourself up for success, configure DRVS to navigate the platform with ease, evaluate your progress as an organization, and align DRVS functionality to organizational workflows and operations. Join this webinar to review a range of configuration opportunities within DRVS, including saved filters and columns, group admin, alert configuration, and more. This webinar is recommended for team members responsible for managing the back end of DRVS. This could include Admin Users, Super Users, among others.

Thursday, August 29
1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Leading Improvement Projects

The goal of this three-week course is to cover from start to finish what to expect in a quality improvement (QI) project. Learn how to scope and organize resources, engage in LEAN problem solving, verify impact, and ensure sustainability. Plus, get tools, templates, and tips from people who have experience facilitating QI projects. This micro-course was developed in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Partnership, Planning, and Improvement and the Colorado Association for Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO) for public health agencies in Colorado. However, those working in other states and in other settings may find it useful as well.

Wednesday, August 7

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Register here.

Vaccinate the Heartland
Vaccinate the Heartland is a virtual rally celebrating the value of vaccination! This event will inspire action for National Immunization Awareness Month and will celebrate the value of vaccinations across the lifespan. Join us to learn about immunization advocacy and coalition activities and find new partners throughout the Midwest.

Wednesday, August 7
6:00 pm CT/5:00 pm MT
Register here.

Grants Budgeting Workshop

In this interactive workshop, participants will walk through the process of building a grant budget that is directly linked to a project scope of work. The workshop will cover details of common budget categories and specific line items to include with each category, along with appropriate calculations and justification to include in budget narratives. Participants will have an opportunity to practice often-used (and yet somewhat complicated!) budget calculations for personnel, per-FTE direct costs, and indirect rates.

Thursday, August 8

10:00 am CT/9:00 am MT

Register here.

Depression Management Series
Enhance your expertise and become a part of the solution by joining CHAD for an in-depth exploration of depression management. The training team from the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH) will guide participants through comprehensive strategies, including data measurement, clinical pathways toward depression remission, and the integration of behavioral health to achieve optimal outcomes in depression management and remission.

This training session is designed for clinical professionals from all backgrounds, emphasizing our unified mission to manage and achieve remission in depression effectively.

Session one was held on July 30. View the recording here.

August 13 and August 27
1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT
Register here.

Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing
In a quick-paced and dynamic training, participants learned Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills in the context of trauma-informed care. Many of those who engage in services face critical changes if they are to reach the health and social outcomes we hope for them. Recent research on the brain and trauma gives those working with clients a new paradigm to improve outcomes for clients experiencing issues such as homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, and poverty. This training presented the trauma-informed paradigm in a practical context, giving participants a theoretical basis and tools to apply immediately to their work with clients.

Learn more and view the recordings here.

CHAD/GPHDN Databook Presentation

CHAD presented a comprehensive overview of the 2023 Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD) and Great Plains Health Data Network (GPHDN) Data Books. The CHAD team has prepared these books for member health centers and the GPHDN using the most current Uniform Data System (UDS) data. These publications were created for use within the CHAD and GPHDN networks and are not publicly shared.

For more information and to receive a session recording, please contact Darci Bultje.

CHAD Network Team and Workgroup Meetings

Tuesday, August 6 @ 12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT – Behavioral Health Work Group

Thursday, August 8 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – HR/Workforce Network Team

Tuesday, August 13 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – Communications & Marketing Network Team Meeting

Wednesday, August 14 @ 12:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – Care Coordination & Care Management Peer Group

Wednesday, August 21 @ 12:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – HCAN Webinar Series

Tuesday, August 27 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – Outreach and Enrollment Monthly Call

Tuesday, August 27 @ 3:00 pm CT/2:00 pm MT – CFO and Finance Manager Roundtable

Wednesday, August 28 @ 12:00 pm/11:00 am MT – DAETC Lunch and Learn