Advocacy Wins, Workforce Conference, and CHAD Leadership Milestone

NACHC Policy and Issues Forum includes meeting with Members of Congress in Washington D.C.
In February, health center leaders from the Dakotas and CHAD staff joined over 3,000 community health center champions and advocates for the National Association of Community Health Center (NACHC) annual Policy & Issues Forum (P&I) in Washington, D.C. As part of P&I, Health center leaders from across the country – including providers, nurses, CEOs, and consumer board leaders - spent a day on Capitol Hill meeting with Members of Congress to share their stories and emphasize the important role health centers play in providing primary care to patients.

Request for Information on 340B Rebate Model due April 20 (instead of March 19).
On February 13, HRSA released a NEW Request for Information (RFI) on a 340B rebate model. Following the dismissal of the American Hospital Association (AHA) lawsuit and withdrawal of the original pilot from 2025, HRSA is seeking detailed feedback on operational, financial, and administrative feasibility of another 340B Rebate Model by gathering input from interested parties regarding the potential use of rebate model. Public comments for the RFI are due on April 20 (an update from the original March 19 deadline).

North Dakota RHTP Updates
With most of its year-one RHTP budget approved by CMS, North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) can now move forward with releasing funding opportunities in phases. The year-one funding must be obligated by October 30, 2026, and fully spent by September 30, 2027. One of the first funding opportunities will focus on supporting the retention of rural and tribal providers and is expected to be released in early – mid-March. Additional opportunities will be posted in the coming weeks and months.

For ongoing updates, see North Dakota’s RHTP webpage. In addition, CHAD’s RHTP webpage includes our recent webinar presentation highlighting the state’s initiatives and alignment with health centers.

South Dakota RHTP Updates
South Dakota has released a total of 10 RHTP Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The current RFPs are primarily targeted to vendors and are focused on setting up the infrastructure support for RHTP. The first seven RFPs were announced in this press release, and the next three were announced here. Full RFPs can be viewed at the state’s posting site, by searching “RHT.”

In addition, South Dakota Health Link will be finalizing and releasing a Request for Applications posting for the Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant Program over the next few months. They have developed this Applicant Readiness Guide to help interested organizations prepare.

For ongoing updates, see South Dakota’s RHTP webpage. In addition, CHAD’s RHTP webpage includes our recent webinar presentation highlighting the state’s initiatives and alignment with health centers.

Advocacy in Action: 2026 Legislative Session Update
The 101st South Dakota Legislative Session is in full swing, and CHAD is on the ground in Pierre to ensure the voices of our health centers and patients are heard. Over 600 bills were filed, many pertaining to property tax relief and data centers.

CHAD has been closely following 37 health bills. 4 of the bills we're tracking are still active and working their way through committees and floor votes in both chambers. You can take a look at our bill list here.

This month, we proudly celebrate Shelly Ten Napel’s 10-year anniversary as CEO of the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD). Over the past decade, Shelly has guided CHAD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to supporting health centers across North and South Dakota.

Under her leadership, the association has expanded its programs, strengthened advocacy efforts, and provided critical resources that help health centers grow and thrive. Join us in congratulating Shelly for this remarkable milestone and her continued impact on improving access to quality health care in our communities.

Send Shelly a Message

The CHAD team recently joined organizations across North Dakota in the Turn ND Blue campaign to raise awareness about colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with more than 150,000 new cases and over 52,000 deaths each year, yet it is one of the most preventable cancers when screening is done on time. Screening can detect and remove precancerous polyps or find cancer early when it’s most treatable. As incidence and mortality among individuals under 50 continue to rise, on-time screening at age 45 is more important than ever. Health centers play a critical role in helping patients get screened through education, reminders, and screening options like FIT, Cologuard tests, or colonoscopy referrals. We encourage health centers and community partners to join the ND Cancer Coalition Turn ND Blue Campaign to help spread the message: Forget 6-7, remember 4-5 - start screening at age 45.

Want to get involved? Enter the Turn ND Blue Photo Contest by March 13 and show how your team is raising awareness in your community.

Learn More

Plus, don’t miss our upcoming webinar, Every Screen Counts: Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening, where you’ll get practical tips to boost screening rates at your health center. Register here to join us!

Emily Haberling, Outreach and Enrollment Navigator at CHAD, has been recognized on the 2026 Sioux Falls Business 30 Under 30 list.

In her role, Emily helps individuals and families across Sioux Falls navigate health insurance and public benefit programs, serving diverse populations including rural residents, small-business owners, immigrants, and young adults transitioning off parental coverage.

Don’t Miss the NACHC Workforce Conference
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is hosting its 2026 Workforce Conference on April 28–29, bringing together health center leaders from across the country to tackle today’s most pressing workforce challenges. This conference offers practical strategies, peer learning, and actionable tools to strengthen recruitment, retention, and team development.

Join colleagues in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace to gain fresh insights and return with ideas you can immediately put into practice at your health center.

Local health care spotlight on Northland Health Centers featured on ND Today

Read about SDUIH and the impact of mental illness and addiction on Native American communities

Falls Community Health talks about the importance of the measles vaccine

Learn why Horizon Health says children’s dental health is crucial

CHAD recognized by South Dakota Senator Rounds in support of community health center issues

Maternal Mental Health Series
Perinatal Mental Health in Every Setting: Practical Strategies for Screening, Treatment, and Coordinated Care
This three-part Maternal Mental Health series is designed to help health center teams strengthen perinatal mental health care across every setting. The series covers the full continuum of care, from early screening and identification to clinical response and treatment planning, and referral and community care coordination. Each session provides evidence-based tools and actionable strategies that can be immediately integrated into obstetric, midwifery, pediatric, and primary care workflows. Participants will leave better equipped to identify at-risk patients, respond appropriately to positive screens, and support continuity of care for pregnant and postpartum patients, including those in rural and underserved communities.

MAR 18 & May 27 | 12:00 pm CT / 11:00 am MT

MAR 18: Clinical Response & Treatment Pathways for Positive Screens
12:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM MT
Learn More

MAY 27: Referral, Care Coordination, & Community Resource Integration
12:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM MT
Learn More

Equipping Your Board: Strengthening Governance Data:
A Two-Part Webinar Series for Health Center Leadership Teams
Health center boards must oversee finances, quality, CEO performance, and compliance, but leadership teams often struggle to provide the right information. This two-part webinar with Jennifer Genua-McDaniel will help teams design reporting systems that meet federal requirements, strengthen board oversight, and focus on the most important data.

APR 6 & 20 | 1:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM MT
Learn More

GPCIN Summit & Strategic Planning
HRegister now for the GPCIN Summit & Strategic Planning Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton - Rapid City! Join network leaders for learning, collaboration, and hands-on planning to shape the future of the Great Plains Clinicially Integrated Network. Leadership teams, board members, and operational staff are encouraged to attend. Secure your spot today!

Contact Darci Bultje for sponsorship and exhibitor information for this event. Exhibitors are invited to attend April 28 for an impactful day with health center leadership.

APR 28-30

HITEQ AI Series: Practical and Proactive Approaches to AI Readiness for Health Centers
Navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) with confidence by joining the HITEQ Center’s new virtual learning series, "Practical and Proactive Approaches to AI Readiness for Health Centers." In the midst of rapid change and industry hype, this three-part series is designed to be your foundation, equipping your health center to confidently move beyond speculation and manage AI in ways that directly align with your core mission and goals. This foundational series will also seamlessly lead into HITEQs upcoming Skill Builder Series, which will feature an AI-focused community of practice for health centers to share and learn together.

Session 2: Out of the Shadows: How AI Is and Isn’t (Yet) Being Used in Health Centers

March 12

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Telehealth Everywhere 2026 - Early-Bird Registration is Now Open

This conference is for executives, providers, managers, and staff engaged in the operational aspects of telehealth. It will focus on delivering information and experiences that will help drive organizations’ telehealth program forward into the future while also providing information for telehealth beginners.

April 7-9 | Hyatt Regency in Bloomington, MN
Register

CHAMPS Next Level Skills for Health Center Supervisors and Managers

Registration is open for the CHAMPS Beyond CORE Competencies: Next Level Skills for health center supervisors and managers. This virtual program strengthens essential and advanced management skills, covering hiring, coaching, conflict resolution, decision-making, and change management. It is suitable for both graduates of CHAMPS CORE Competencies and those seeking to enhance higher-level management skills.

Program Dates: April 8 – May 6

Registration Deadline: March 9

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. By the end, you’ll be equipped to help groups meet their goals and take ownership of the process.

Live Sessions: April 29 - June 24 (Wednesdays, every other week)
Registration Deadline: April 14
Register

Dakota Conference on Rural Health
The Dakota Conference on Rural Health, which has been a mainstay in North Dakota for over 40 years, is being reimagined. This year, the conference will take a stronger look at leadership, workforce, and innovation happening throughout rural North Dakota communities.

June 3-4 | Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND

Best Practices for Providing Well Visits Through the Years

In many ways, Annual Wellness Visits serve as the backbone of primary care. These visits are essential to not only gaining valuable information about the patient, including medical and family history, risk factors, and vitals, but also to developing a personalized relationship and care plan with the patients. Annual Wellness Visits are required across the age continuum, and yet many patients go without receiving a visit. Join this webinar to learn more about the strategies health centers can leverage to increase their annual wellness visit rates, and the functionality within DRVS that can support you carrying out these efforts.

Tuesday, March 10

12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT

Reflecting on UDS: Lessons Learned in February

Have you ever considered all the different ways that providers can leverage DRVS? DRVS has extensive functionality that goes far beyond the point-of-care to support providers in evaluating performance and population-level trends. In this webinar, attendees will review a wide range of functionality – including dashboards, scorecards, cohorts, and more – and discuss how it can be used by providers to track health outcomes across key populations, improve the quality of care for patients, and drive performance improvement within their organization. This session is recommended for providers or health center staff that work closely with providers. This might include the quality team, MAs, Nurses, etc.

Tuesday, March 17

12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT

From Data to Action: Patient Engagement Strategies for Value-Based Care

As Value-Based Care (VBC) continues to expand across CMS, Medicaid, and commercial payers, health centers face growing expectations to improve quality, manage utilization, and engage attributed patient populations. Success in this environment requires more than performance reporting—it depends on timely, targeted patient outreach supported by accurate data, coordinated workflows, and clear visibility into payer expectations.

Thursday, March 19

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

Smarter Workflows, Better Outcomes: Managing the Growing Medicaid Redetermination Workload

With HR1 requiring more frequent Medicaid redetermination cycles, Community Health Centers are facing a growing operational burden—and higher risk of patient coverage loss. Join Azara Healthcare to learn how DRVS is providing data-driven outreach and repeatable workflows to better manage redetermination at scale. Azara will focus on steps they are taking to provide practical solutions for reaching patients, tracking progress, and offering assistance through the final steps needed to successfully complete redetermination.

Tuesday, March 24

12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT

Enlisting DRVS to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates

Colorectal cancer screening remains one of the most challenging preventive care measures to improve, particularly in underserved and rural communities where barriers such as limited access, competing priorities, and low FIT return rates can stall progress. Moving the needle requires more than reminders; it demands a proactive, data-driven approach that meets patients where they are and supports care teams with actionable insights. Join Azara for a focused session on how to leverage DRVS to identify patients due for colorectal cancer screening at both the point-of-care and population levels. Azara will explore practical strategies for using DRVS tools to examine workflows, close screening gaps, and track outcomes over time.

Thursday, March 26

1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT

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 at 605-309-0873.