This newsletter is supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) to share resources, educational events, and targeted technical assistance opportunities from the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP). The goal of RHPTP is to help strengthen the foundation in key elements of value-based care for qualified small rural hospitals and certified rural health clinics.
Updates: Refinement of Direct Technical Assistance Selection Process
The 2022 - 2023 cohort of six small rural hospitals (SRHs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) is well underway. As The Center opens the application for SRHs and RHCs interested in direct technical assistance (TA) next year, we have important updates on the selection process to share. Selection for direct TA is now based on two areas: provider readiness to participate and the need for services. With the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) support, five applicants will be chosen each year to receive virtual and onsite TA.
Ideal small SRH and RHC applicants are those that demonstrate the highest need and strong readiness for comprehensive TA, through financial stability, and a strong, stable leadership committed to active engagement in all phases of the project, including the application and interview process, where timeliness and responsiveness to any request for additional information is critical to the selection process. While all eligible SRH and RHCs are encouraged to apply, this project best supports candidates that are not currently or have not recently received similar TA. In addition, RHPTP has the greatest impact on SRHs and RHCs without readily available support and access to value-based care (VBC) transition tools and resources.
RHPTP is designed to strengthen SRH and RHC foundations in the key elements of VBC, including, but not limited to quality, efficiency, patient experience, and safety. RHPTP's goal is to guide SRH and RHCs not currently participating in VBC, in preparing for and positioning their organizations for future participation in VBC. Direct TA also includes a financial assessment for VBC and a health equity dashboard.
For detail about the application process, scoring, and selection, please access 2023 - 2024 Application Interview and Process Guide.
Lawrence County Rural Health Clinic: Making Big Strides on Their Journey to Value-Based Care
The Lawrence County Health Department (LCHD) is a public health department offering services to the residents of Lawrence County, IL and surrounding communities. As a rural health clinic, LCHD was one of the four organizations selected to participate in the 2020 - 2021 Rural Health Provider Transition Project.
Hired a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and continuing to expand behavioral health services in the surrounding counties
Currently applying for a Rural Health Network Grant to purchase a new EHR software that accommodates more measurable data
Moved into a new building that provides more space and continuity among all departments, and allows for all services to be under one roof which is helping close those gaps
Implemented chronic care management
Outreaching to Medicare population to educate them on the importance of annual wellness visits
Implemented school-based telehealth kiosks that are making a positive impact on the community and population health
Solidified partnerships within the county
Clinic now open on Saturdays from 8:00 AM - Noon, one to two days per month
April 19, 2023 | 2:00 PM Central Time
Speaker: Shannon Studden
In this webinar, you'll learn about the elements of the Staff Sustainability Cycle and take a deep dive into some of the key practices that foster employee engagement and retention. We'll share tools that you can use to strengthen your practices in these areas - thereby ensuring the critical services your health care organization provides to support the health of your community.
Organizational Leadership in Value
June 21, 2023 | 2:00 PM Central Time
Speaker: Jennifer Lundblad, Stratis Health
This session will offer strategies and tactics for influencing and leading toward value based care in a rural health care (VBC) organization and community as well as explore risks and unintended consequences important for you to understand when leading in VBC and payment environment.
Community Care Coordination: How to Effectively Identify, Engage, and Sustain Community Partners
July 19, 2023 | 2:00 PM Central Time
Speaker: Debra Laine, The Center
This webinar will introduce tools for identifying partners and creating allies within your community by recognizing all of the social drivers of health (SDOH) being experienced. This webinar will ground you in Community Care Coordination and its role in population health, provide best practices, and teach you how to engage and sustain these partnerships. Applying these principles will strengthen the capacity of your health care delivery system to create buy-in, establish accountability and better manage the health of your population.
To view previous HELP webinar playbacks, visit our website.
Disclaimer: This project is supported by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U5ERH39345 as part of a financial assistance award totaling $800,000 (0% financed with nongovernmental 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.
The Lawrence County Health Department (LCHD) is a public health department offering behavioral, environmental, public, and home health services to the residents of Lawrence County, IL, and surrounding communities. LCHD was one of four organizations selected to participate in the 2020-2021 Rural Health Provider Transition Project. Read more about their top accomplishments here.
