Not displaying correctly? View this email in your web browser... Miss an issue? View the archives...
NCHN eNews
April 26, 2011
Dear NCHN Members and Friends,

This is the latest issue of the NCHN e-News, the monthly newsletter we use to share information with you.

This issue includes more detailed information about the 2011 Awards, the NCHN Conference (which concluded on Wednesday last week), and the announcement of this year's Board and Officers. Finally, we hope you will take a moment to check out the pictures from the Conference and a video of our new President, Carolyn Witherspoon, in full bull-riding fervor. We had a great time!

We hope you enjoy this issue and, as always, if you have information you would like to share, or have any feedback, please email us.

NCHN Staff

NCHN NEWS

MEMBER BLURBS

UPCOMING EVENTS

NATIONAL NEWS

FUNDING

NCHN NEWS  

2011 Board of Directors and Officers

The 2011 - 2012 NCHN Board of Directors and Officers were announced during the conference in Scottsdale last week.

President: Carolyn Witherspoon
Vice-President: Heather Fuller
Secretary: Esther Hammerschlag
Treasurer: Jon Smith

Beverlyann Austin
Tara Cramer (re-elected for second term)
Greg Dent
Esther Hammerschlag
Terry Hill
Chris Hopkins (elected for first term)
Jack King
Steve Stoddard

2011 NCHN Award Recipients

News from the 3rd Annual Awards Luncheon: April 18, 2011 (Scottsdale, AZ)

2011 NCHN Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader of the Year
Esther Hammerschlag, Network Director of Prince of Wales Health Network (AK), was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader of the Year during the 3rd Annual NCHN Awards Luncheon. The Outstanding New & Emerging Network Leader Award recognizes extraordinary leadership activities demonstrated by a health network leader/director who has held the position for less than 5 years.
» CONTINUE READING

2011 NCHN Outstanding Network Leader of the Year
Carolyn Bruce, Executive Director of Western Healthcare Alliance (CO), was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding Network Leader of the Year during the 3rd Annual NCHN Awards Luncheon,. The Outstanding Network Leader of the Year Award recognizes a network leader/director for leadership in managing a successful health network organization.
» CONTINUE READING

2011 NCHN Outstanding Network of the Year
Heather Fuller, Executive Director of Sunflower Health Network (KS), accepted the 2011 Outstanding Network of the Year Award on behalf of Sunflower Health Network during the 3rd Annual NCHN Awards Luncheon. The Outstanding Health Network of the Year Award recognizes any network or entire network organization that has improved access to health services in its service area and coordination of resources for network members through innovative, comprehensive approaches.
» CONTINUE READING

2011 Friend of NCHN
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) was the recipient of the 2011 Friend of NCHN award. The Friend of NCHN Award is given to recognize a program, institution, agency, or individual that has advocated for or provided extraordinary support to the Association.
» CONTINUE READING

Featured Partner

IPI Logo
Infant Parent Institute is a Silver Level Business Partner
The Consulting Division of the Infant-Parent Institute has delivered monitoring, technical assistance and programmatic evaluation services since 1992
» FIND OUT MORE

From the Forum

NCHN Members: Register to access Coffee/Tea Chats with Mark Kay Chess
» REGISTER


From braingle.com

What can be seen in the middle of March and April that cannot be seen at the beginning or end of either month?

» VIEW ANSWER

Rebecca Davis, Executive Director2011 Conference Recap

After what seems like months of relentless preparation - finding just the right speakers and session topics, making sure that all of the logistics were in place, and planning all of the small details - the 17th Annual NCHN Conference was underway last week and appears to have gone very well. With network leaders who represented hundreds of health care organizations nationwide, networking opportunities abounded and there was a good amount of information sharing at every turn. Most importantly, the conference evaluations indicated that this year's conference was a favorite among our members. Whereas last year's conference evaluations indicated repeatedly that the hotel rooms were too cold, the only issue that was overheard repeatedly was a prevalent desire to get outside and get some sun. Hopefully, between the weather and the speakers, you had a chance to get acquainted with the Exhibitors and Sponsors.

(Above: Rebecca Davis, Executive Director of NCHN, at the opening session of the 17th Annual Conference)

The Conference Planning Committee loves to hear positive feedback on the conference, but also wants to hear your thoughts and suggestions. We hope to hear from everyone! Later this week, we will be sending an email to attendees with a link to the evaluation. Look for this email in your Inbox on Wednesday, the 27th. Finally, if you attended the conference, and would like a copy of a specific presentation that you did not see on your Flash drive (there were 3 or 4 of these), email Christy at csullenberger@nchn.org and she will send you a copy.

» VIEW CONFERENCE PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK

May Calls & Events

Annual Conference Planning Committee: Close Out Call
Thursday, May 12th at 12:30 PM

Keep an eye on the weekly updates for more upcoming calls. New committee sign-ups were circulated at the Conference and more calls will be scheduled soon. If you are interested in serving on a committee, contact Rebecca at rdavis@nchn.org

» TOP

FEATURED PARTNER  

The Infant Parent Institute

Infant Parent InstituteThe Consulting Division of the Infant-Parent Institute has delivered monitoring, technical assistance and programmatic evaluation services since 1992.  Consultants have clinical, supervisory and management experience in a wide array of behavioral health service areas.  We assist providers with certification, program implementation and evaluation, as well as initial and on-going training and technical assistance.   IPI Administrative Staff work hand in hand with the Illinois Department of Children and Family (IDCFS) services and have played an integral role in the State’s efforts to maximize federal funding for behavioral and mental health programs, having helped secure over $25 million in federal financial participation through the Medicaid program.

Our Philosophy 
We believe that people and businesses are significantly influenced by their own developmental experiences, and that we cannot understand  their cultures without knowing their earliest histories.

Our Services
Consultation & Technical Assistance with:
*Record Keeping
*Fiscal Requirement
*Utilization Review
*Quality Assurance
*Staff Supervision
*Qualitative Evaluation Tool Design
*Quantitative Measurement Tool Design
*Program Design & Evaluation         
*Form Design
*Developmental Analysis    
*Organizational & Program Analysis
*Process Evaluation 
*Root Cause analysis

Linda K. Weiss, LCSW, HS-BCP
Consulting Division
lindaw@infant-parent.com
Ph: 217-552-9335
328 N. Neil Street, Champaign, IL 61820
www.infant-parent.com

» TOP

MEMBER BLURBS  

Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) Faculty Recognized Again for Best Bedsire Manner

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is proud to announce that 95 physician faculty members were recognized in Ourhealth Magazine’s “4th Annual Best Bedside Manner Awards for Southwest Virginia.” 

» CONTINUE READING

» TOP

UPCOMING EVENTS  

2 HRSA Health IT & Quality Webinars

"Tips on Conducting Due Diligence for a Health IT System”
Friday April 29, 2011 -- 2:00-3:30pm EST

Today’s technical assistance Webinar will provide tips and strategies for conducting Due Diligence before purchasing an electronic health record (EHR) or health information technology (IT) system/module, and explore why it pays to prioritize functionality and not price.
The speakers, who represent a variety of safety net provider environments including rural and community health centers and HIV/AIDS clinics, will focus on why Due Diligence is especially important within these safety net environments. 

Due Diligence is the process of “thinking it through” and “doing your homework,” so that you can make the best choice for your safety net organization for current and future needs.  It is a critical step that too often is overlooked. 

Frequently discussions with health IT vendors about purchasing a product creates confusion  and leaves providers unsure of what EHR features and products would functionally best serve their mission and needs.  An inappropriate health IT product will have a negative impact on a health IT system, such as loss of productivity, cost overruns, and decreased healthcare quality.

Presenters include:

  • David Ginsberg, President, PrivaPlan Associates, Inc.
  • Dan Eilliot, CIO, Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved
  • Teneka Duke, Program Manager, CentrEast Regional Extension Center

The Webinar is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Health Information Technology and Quality. 

» REGISTER

Rebroadcast of Dr. Farzad Mostashari, the National Coordinator for Health IT’s Speech to the  Community Health Centers Alliance’s HRSA Sponsored HIT Learning Session
Tuesday April 26th, 2011 12:30pm EST

“HRSA is pleased to announce that on April 26th at 12:30pm EST, HRSA grantee, Community Health Centers Alliance, Inc. will be re-broadcasting the keynote address provided by Dr. Farzad Mostashari, now the National Coordinator for Health IT, who shared both the background and the vision of Meaningful Use and how he hopes the programs under the ONC will aid providers across the country to achieve improved efficiencies and impact patient outcomes, with technology providing key tools in the effort. His presentation received the highest marks of all speakers at the conference, so we are so pleased that we will be able to share this session with a wider audience. 

» REGISTER

SAMHSA Webinar: Accountable Care Organizations and Health Homes  

April 28, 2011 @ 1:00 PM ET

The webinar, designed for states, providers, consumers, and other interested stakeholders, will provide an overview of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act pertaining to the definition, development of, and requirements for health homes and ACOs.

» REGISTER

34th NRHA Annual Rural Health Conference

May 3-6, 2011
Austin, Texas

NRHA's Annual Rural Health Conference is the nation's largest rural health conference, created for all of those with an interest in rural health care, including rural health practitioners, hospital administrators, clinic directors and lay health workers, social workers, state and federal health employees, academics, community members and more.

» REGISTER

» TOP

NATIONAL NEWS  

Inequality Rising in Rural and Urban America
By Roberto Gallardo and Bo Beaulieu

April 21, 2011 (The Daily Yonder) - Income inequality is increasing between counties in both rural and urban America. Income gains in richer counties are outpacing gains in poorer places. Meanwhile, there is growing evidence that inequality has a number of ill effects on society.

When the recent financial crisis began back in late 2007, media reports noted that income inequality in the U.S. was at a historic level, unequaled since the time of the 1929 crash and the ensuing economic depression. Case in point: The top 1% of wealthiest Americans took home nearly a quarter of the nation’s income.

» CONTINUE READING

Deadline Extended: ONC Seeks Public Comment on the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan

The comment period for the "Federal Health IT Strategic Plan: 2011 - 2015" has been extended to *Friday, May 6, 11:59 p.m. (Eastern)*. Developed in coordination with other Federal partners, the Plan outlines ONC's strategy for realizing Congress and the Administration's health IT agenda. ONC encourages and welcomes all comments from the public regarding the Plan.

» Share your ideas today--visit the Health IT Buzz Blog to read and comment on the Plan!

CMS Information: Affordable Care Act Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)

April 19, 2011 - Please share this information with your clients, patients, members, and colleagues who may encounter people in need of health insurance coverage.  The PCIP is administered by either your state or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides a health coverage option for children and adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia who have been locked out of the health insurance market because of a pre-existing condition. This transitional program will continue until 2014 when Americans, regardless of their health status, will have access to affordable health insurance when the nation transitions to a new marketplace.

Eligibility criteria for PCIP:

  • A U.S. citizen or residing here legally
  • Uninsured for at least the last six months
  • Have a pre-existing condition or have been denied health coverage because of a health condition

» MORE INFORMATION

You'll Be Crippled Without It
By Sharon Strover

April 8, 2011 (The Daily Yonder) - Broadband isn't something nice to have. It's not an amenity, like lake or a ski slope. Broadband is a necessity these days for rural communities. Without it, your future is pinched off.

Communications technologies have enormous consequences even though most of them go unrealized when those technologies are young.  

No one would have anticipated that Facebook or Twitter might one day figure in revolutions, just as no one could have anticipated that the telegraph would catalyze both the standardization of time keeping in the U.S. as well as the creation of national economic markets.  

» CONTINUE READING

Secretaries Duncan and Sebelius launch outreach effort to help make graduating students aware of the new health coverage options under the Affordable Care Act

April 20, 2011 (HHS News Release) - Today, Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched a new initiative to help educate graduating college and university seniors about their new health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to the new law, many young adults will be eligible to remain on their parent’s health insurance plan until their 26th birthday. The Secretaries sent letters to college and university presidents as well as student body presidents encouraging them to help spread that information to college students.

“Young adults shouldn’t have to lose their health insurance on graduation day,” said Sebelius. “Under the Affordable Care Act, many young adults have more health coverage choices, including the opportunity to stay on their parent’s health insurance plan until they are 26 years old.”

» CONTINUE READING

» TOP

FUNDING  

There are no new funding announcements this week. However, remember that you can always visit the RAC web site or use GrantStation (if you are a subscriber) to search funding opportunities. Both sites have excellent listings.

Please send us any announcements you would like to share witht he NCHN membership.

» TOP

divider

NCHN Logo
National Cooperative of Health Networks
Contact Us | About Us | www.NCHN.org