Resources

The Center's searchable Resource Library features articles, reports, webinars, podcasts, toolkits, and other materials developed by trusted industry leaders to guide and support rural health stakeholders.
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Resources

Resource Type
Toolkits
Programs
Topics
Series
Services
516 results found
Toolkit

Overview of Community Care Coordination

Learn about how the DRCHSD program defines Community Care Coordination.
Toolkit

Community Champion Hiring and Responsibilities

The DRCHSD Program (The Program) supports one Community Champion (CC) per selected organization to assist executive leadership with the Program goal of strengthening the local Health Care delivery system to position for population health.
Toolkit

Onboarding

The process of bringing a new employee into the organization.
Toolkit

Engagement & Retention

The extent to which employees are passionate about their work and committed to the organization (engagement) and the choice by an employee to stay with an organization instead of seeking employment elsewhere (retention).
Video

Quality and Data in Population Health

Equip participants with comprehensive knowledge and insights on population health and its significance in hospital operations and community engagement, ensuring they can effectively guide and make informed decisions in rural health care.

Speaker: Stratis Health

Blue Mountain Hospital, Blanding, Utah

Blue Mountain Hospital has been recognized by the National Rural Health Resource Center for its use of innovative approaches to improve the organization’s financial stability.
Guide

Critical Access Hospital Financial Sustainability Guide

The Critical Access Hospital Financial Sustainability Guide guide is intended for use by state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program personnel, leaders of critical access hospitals (CAHs), and other individuals and/or teams that provide guidance and assistance to these providers in managing their long-term financial stability.
Interactive

Frequently Asked Questions

Access the answers to questions frequently asked about the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program (RHSP).

Center Launches Updated Population Health Toolkit to Support Improvements in Health Outcomes of Rural Communities

The National Rural Health Resource Center (The Center) has launched the 2025 update to its Population Health Toolkit, which is designed to assist State Offices of Rural Health, state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Programs and individual health care organizations as they seek to better understand, manage and improve population health in their communities and states.
Report

Texas Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model Review

In September 2023, Rural Health Innovations, the for-profit consulting arm of the National Rural Health Resource Center, was contracted by the Episcopal Health Foundation to conduct a review and assessment of the Texas Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model design and rollout. The assessment included an examination of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation initiatives, an analysis of the Texas CHART Model design and related communications with hospitals and partners, an analysis of state hospital finances, and interviews with more than a dozen key informants.
Document

Application Analysis and Selection Process

Review the process the Rural Hospital Stabilization Program uses to analyze applications and select hospitals to participate.
Template

Cancer Screening and Prevention Campaign

The Cancer Screening and Prevention Toolkit features messaging that emphasizes cancer prevention and awareness, highlighting the powerful motivation of living not just for oneself, but for others.

Necessary Provider Definitions

Outlines a compilation of states' criteria for designation as a necessary provider. Describes how each state has addressed local considerations or unique requirements.

Four Performance Management Tools: An Overview of Balanced Scorecard, Baldrige, Lean and Studer

This document outlines four performance management tools: Balanced Scorecard, Baldrige, Lean and Studer. These tools have been identified as effective methods for managing performance improvement with small rural hospitals.

Health Information Technology (HIT) Network Readiness Assessment

HIT networks can use this tool to assess organizational strengths and weaknesses and identify areas needing attention.

Sample Network Balanced Scorecard Materials

These samples from an HIT network can serve as reference documents for networks interested in incorporating the Balanced Scorecard into their strategic and evaluation planning efforts.
Guide

CAH Financial Leadership Summit Summary

This document summarizes the consensus of a discussion with CAH financial leaders and experts about the most important performance indicators, the CAH financial distress model from the FMT, CAH interventions for optimizing financial performance and the evolving health care system.

HIE Direct Guide

This guide to Direct connectivity standards is designed to assist health care providers in understanding and implementing health information exchange using Direct protocols. It includes descriptions of technologies used, a glossary of terms and recommendations on implementing Direct.

HIE First Considerations

Determining whether your practice is ready to build or join a HIE can be a challenge. This guide provides some basic information for providers to consider while evaluating options for HIE.

Engaging Stakeholders During Times of Change and Transition

With the changes and transitions in today’s health care environment, it's an important time for rural health care leaders to engage stakeholders in collaborative efforts. This presentation suggests two key ways to enable people to take on new behaviors and offers specific ways to help leaders succeed in truly engaging stakeholders.