What We Do
- Advocacy
CHCA works and speaks on behalf of the CHCs to raise public awareness, secure resources, and build support for Community Health Centers and issues which impact CHCs and the patients they serve. CHCA educates policy makers and key stakeholders at the state and federal levels and influences policy development to promote the vision of access to comprehensive, quality primary health care services for all residents of our state. CHCA supports various strategies to involve health center staff, board members and community members in CHCA advocacy activities.
- Arkansas Health Center Controlled Network
The Arkansas Health Center Controlled Network, created with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), includes CHCA and six (6) of the 12 member CHCs. The purpose of the AHCCN is to provide cost efficiencies in the vetting, selecting, Health Center readiness, purchase, and implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) systems which will enhance the efficiencies/effectiveness of the Health Center’s provision of comprehensive, quality primary and preventive patient care, as well as support the continuum of care delivered to the CHCs patients. CHCA serves as the lead agency and works with the member CHCs to facilitate discussions, strategic planning, and the health center members’ ability in achieving “meaningful use” of certified EHRs. As part of the project, the AHCCN aims to track and improve measures relating to early childhood immunizations, diabetes and cervical cancer. Eventually, all 12 Arkansas CHCs will participate in the network, allowing them to electronically share data vertically and horizontally, and lead the way in reducing health disparities among medically underserved Arkansans.
- CHCA Board/Board Committee Meetings
CHCA coordinates and facilitates arrangement for all Board related activities including, monthly Board meetings and Board committee meetings, i.e. Executive Committee, Program Planning Committee, Legislative Committee, etc. CHCA also coordinates a yearly Strategic Planning Retreat.
- Communications/Public Relations
CHCA is proud to promote Arkansas CHCs and the services they provide to the medically underserved in the state. CHCA’s public relations strategy is multimedia in nature and uses audience segmentation for reaching various groups. CHCA promotes CHCs through print, electronic media (TV/radio), the web, social media, and community involvement activities including presentations and exhibits. CHCA created and uses a variety of promotional materials such as a tri-fold brochure, an educational packet, recruitment packet, annual report, newsletter and videos in their efforts to advocate for CHCs and to inform the public, its partners, policy makers, and potential providers and nurses about the benefits of the CHCs.
- Community & Network Development
Many Arkansans do not have access to quality primary healthcare. Barriers to healthcare include, but are not limited to the following: no local providers; providers not accepting uninsured; under-insured; providers not accepting Medicare, or Medicaid individuals; no transportation, geographical distance to providers; and poor road conditions.
CHCA can help community members explore options for overcoming those barriers. Such options may include the planning and development of a community, migrant, public housing, school and/or homeless health center program, partially sponsored by Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC).CHCA can provide assistance to communities in locating resources, help to explore and determine eligibility for BPHC programs, and help the communities with developing, designing and implementing community assessments, community involvement, access models, and community outreach.
CHCA also provides support to Community Networks whose objectives are to improve access to care and reduce health disparities in rural underserved communities. CHCA conducts assessments related to unmet need and growth-related-planning and reports those findings in the Statewide Strategic Plan (SSP) and Access for All Arkansans Plan.
- Data & Information Collection/Analysis/Reporting
CHCA collects, analyzes and aggregates data related to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s) in Arkansas. The data sources are used to develop fact sheets, reports, and white papers which are used to educate the public, stakeholders, and patients about the CHC system of delivery and to improve the quality of health care provided in Arkansas CHCs. Data is also used in developing marketing materials and activities to promote CHCs around the state.
- Education & Training
CHCA facilitates continuing education and training opportunities for all Community Health Center directors, managers, healthcare providers, nurses and all support staff working in the Community Health Centers. CHCA provides, or coordinates the provision of, a variety of training programs needed to enhance staff knowledge and skills to help strengthen health center financial and business operations, and to help improve the quality of services provided.
- Information & Referral
CHCA serves as a resource for Arkansans in need of access to health care services. CHCA supports a toll-free number which is promoted on CHCA educational and promotional materials. CHCA fields questions from patients and individuals seeking care via the toll-free number as well as other means of communications. The patients’ specific needs are identified and CHCA refers them to a local CHC for care, or, when necessary, to another organization such as a charitable clinic or other local health care provider. CHCA tracks all referrals and collects information about how Arkansans learn about CHCA. This information is used to improve future promotional and referral efforts.
- Partnerships & Collaborations
CHCA is a strong proponent for partnerships and collaborations. CHCA participates on a number of state and national committees, coalitions and boards that cover a variety of issues impacting, or potentially impacting, CHCs, their staff, and the patients they serve. CHCA also establishes formal partnerships and collaborations, which provide a variety of resources which benefit CHCs and their ability to serve the complex needs of their patients. CHCA, on behalf its member CHCs, negotiates contracts and memorandums of agreement with various funding sources, organizations, and partners. CHCA supports its membership in meeting the terms, conditions, functions, and responsibilities of each of the agreements. These partnerships allow CHCs to function as “Medical/Health Care Homes” for their patients, providing access to complete and comprehensive care.
- Resource Development
CHCA is passionately committed to its mission “To develop and protect the resources that ensure quality healthcare for all.” CHCA continuously researches, develops and submits grants to provide additional funding streams for the expansion/sustainability of community health center programs/services. CHCA also seeks alternative funding sources through fundraising, trust funds, private foundations, and other funding opportunities. In addition to funding, CHCA seeks to help CHCs improve CHCs financial and business operations through pursuing new business lines and by providing purchasing support, which includes researching and negotiating prices for medical supplies, equipment, and technology needs.
CHCA also develops resources to facilitate communication, collaboration, and information sharing between and among CHCA and its 12 member CHCs. Through the use of executive abstracts, CHCA provides current information on policy issues, legislation updates, and grant opportunities in a format that is quickly read and easily absorbed. CHCA used the Microsoft SharePoint software package to develop an online resource, collaboration, and communication portal for its members.
- Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is provided to CHCs through a range of CHCA programs and services. The purpose of CHCA technical assistance activities is to support the CHCs in quality improvement activities, business/practice management, and systems development, implementation, and evaluations. CHCA’s provision of technical assistance is to help strengthen the existing health centers and to help improve the quality of services provided.
- Workforce Development
CHCA places a high priority on assisting member Community Health Centers in recruiting and retaining highly qualified health care providers to serve the needs of the underserved and medically neediest populations in Arkansas. CHCA’s recruitment services include, but are not limited to, representation at national, regional, and state conferences, sourcing of candidates, job postings on national sites, matching interested candidates to openings, referral, and follow-up. CHCA also works to build a pipeline of current and future interested candidates. CHCA understands the unique qualities of Arkansas’s Community Health Centers and the areas they serve, allowing CHCA to provide knowledgeable assistance to our health centers and candidates alike.
