CHAD Connection

Medicaid has been a hot topic over the last several months as Congress has considered its values and priorities relative to the program. At CHAD, we have been pondering the same questions – including reflecting with health center staff on the impact having coverage has on patients and on their own ability to sustain care in the communities they serve. As a way to contribute to this important community-wide conversation, CHAD is launching the "Medicaid Matters to Me" campaign—an initiative to collect and share stories that illustrate the essential role Medicaid plays in the lives of individuals, families, health care workers, and entire communities across South Dakota.

We know from past ballot initiatives and polling that there is widespread public support for the Medicaid program, yet misperceptions and stigma still persist. Our goal with the Medicaid Matters to Me campaign is to use storytelling to turn the lens toward those with lived experience and let them shape the narrative about Medicaid. As we have engaged with our storytellers, it helps us make the connection between larger policy debates and our own personal stories and those of friends, family and neighbors.

Northland Health Centers was featured on ND Today talking about their new location and behavioral health services.

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) issued this statement outlining concerns about the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on health center patients.

CHAD CEO Shelly Ten Napel spoke with Public News Service about Medicaid cuts under consideration by Congress.

Dakota News Now featured an article on the The Wo’okiye Project, led by South Dakota Urban Indian Health (SDUIH), which continues to make significant strides in providing compassionate street outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown Sioux Falls.

North Dakota has reported eleven measles cases in Williams County and Cass County so far in 2025, with several of the latest cases involving unvaccinated individuals and no known link to prior infections—raising concerns of community transmission. These are the first measles cases reported in North Dakota since 2011.

Check out this safety presentation resource to encourage health center staff to practice appropriate infection control measures. We've also included a well-child toolkit resource to provide health centers with the tools to increase well-child visits which provide critical opportunities to administer vaccinations and have meaningful conversations with families about the safety and effectiveness of immunizations.

Ernesto Alfaro, community health worker at Falls Community Health, received the CHW Champion Award at the CHWSD Annual Conference on April 24. Since stepping into the CHW role in 2023, Ernesto has expanded the program’s reach through strong community partnerships, bilingual outreach, and culturally responsive care. He recently partnered with South Dakota State University to bring Better Choices, Better Health diabetes self-management classes to the Sioux Falls area in both English and Spanish. Ernesto’s trusted presence and dedication exemplify the vital role CHWs play in advancing community health.

Join us for a two-part webinar series designed to equip health center care teams with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to integrate oral health into prenatal care. As the connection between oral health and pregnancy outcomes becomes increasingly clear, it’s essential for dental and medical professionals to work collaboratively in providing safe, accessible, and effective care for pregnant individuals.

This series will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, explore the systems and structures needed to deliver integrated care, and provide practical resources to support implementation across clinical settings.

Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits and North Dakota Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits will be available. This series is highly relevant for nurses, medical and dental providers, dental assistants, medical assistants, and all essential health center care team members working to deliver comprehensive prenatal care.

Wednesday, June 11 & 18

1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT

The ND Legislative Session adjourned sine die at 4:00 am on Saturday, May 3. A record 1,035 bills were filed and over 600 bills were passed. Six days remain out of the 80 days they are allowed to meet for an emergency session if needed. It was a long session, but we are happy to report on some successes we had.

Aside from the successes we had related to laws, we raised the profile of health centers among state lawmakers, both new and returning. Health centers were mentioned several times during floor debates and in committee meetings. All five health centers made it to the Capitol at least once, four of five health centers testified in person, and four of five health centers attended Health Center Day at the Capitol. We also had several legislators express interest in visiting health centers during the interim.

Legislative Management will meet in June to assign the interim committees and select any of the optional studies that were passed.

In response to the pressing need for accessible dental care in rural North Dakota, Northland Health Centers has launched an Urgent Care Dental Clinic in Ray. This facility is designed to provide immediate relief for patients experiencing dental pain while also reducing unnecessary emergency room visits.

They are proud to invite the community to celebrate this important milestone. They’ll be hosting an Open House at the Ray Urgent Care Dental Clinic on June 12, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Come tour the space, meet the team, and learn more about how they’re working to improve access to dental care across Western North Dakota.

Preparing for UDS 2025: CQMs, Table Changes, UDS+, Oh My!
Are you ready to take your DRVS expertise from 101 to 201 and dive headfirst into dashboards? Custom dashboards are one of the most complex tools in DRVS, yet they deliver a wealth of potential related to tracking, evaluation, and communication. Join us for a dashboard deep dive as Azara experts walk through how to create an effective and visually compelling dashboard to tell your organization’s story. Participants are welcome to ask any questions you have on dashboards in your registration. This webinar is recommended for team members interested in meaningfully visualizing their data. This might include clinical quality, population health, care management/coordination, c-suite, and users with Admin privileges, among others.

Thursday, May 15

1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT

Mastering and Maintaining the Mapping Admin: Elevated Data Health and Accuracy
Join Azara for an in-depth training session on DRVS Mapping Administration, designed for users responsible for maintaining data health and integrity. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of how to manage and optimize mapping within Azara DRVS, ensuring accurate data capture and reporting. Participants will learn best practices for maintaining data consistency, troubleshooting common mapping issues, and enhancing overall data quality. Whether you're new to mapping administration or looking to refine your skills, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage your organization’s data.

Thursday, May 22

1:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm MT