Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, Rural Health and Primary Care

Iowa State Flex Program

What is one Core Competency your state Flex Program is working on developing through Flex activities?

Selected Core Competency: Addressing Community Needs

The Iowa Flex Program launched a summer Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Population Health Cohort aimed at assisting Iowa CAH staff charged with completing the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Implementation Plan (e.g., Community Health Coordinators, Community Liaisons, Population Health Coordinators, Quality Improvement Leads, etc.) and at least one (1) of their community partners (e.g., local public health, non-profit organizations, faith communities, local foundations, businesses, school systems, law enforcement, etc.) in developing an activity or program intended to improve one of the high priority community health issues.

What is one activity your state is funding through SHIP?

The Iowa SHIP Program supports efficiency or quality improvement training in support of VBP-related and ACO or shared savings-related initiatives through an education series.  As healthcare systems move towards value-based care, it is crucial for these settings to understand the importance of creating effective care coordination processes throughout their care continuum. This series includes discussions on how to achieve a quality healthcare culture that closes care gaps, achieves continuity of care, and utilizes key care coordination processes that will create an effective care continuum throughout all levels of patient care transitions.