Project Name: AR Delta Health Workforce: Business Operations Initiative Organization Name: Arkansas Rural Health Partnership Address: 111 N. Court St. Lake Village, AR 71653 Project Director Name: Robert Deen, JD Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax): 870-723-8435 Email Address: robertdeen@arruralhealth.org Website Address, if applicable: arruralhealth.org Grant Program Funds Request: $550,000/year, 4 years Brief Description of the Proposed Project Needs to be addressed: The proposed project has been designed to meet critical health workforce infrastructure gaps of participating network members and increase equity for Arkansas Delta residents to accessible, affordable certification and degree programs in health administration support careers. Proposed program tracks (Medical Coding and Billing, Health Information Management, Clinical Documentation, and Business Operations for Healthcare Organizations) will produce trained, skilled healthcare administrative staff whose work will directly impact the financial viability and sustainability of rural health organizations. For many rural communities within the service area, these healthcare organizations are some of the largest and most stable places of employment and may offer some of the only available healthcare services in the community. As a result, the project impacts the health, wellness, and quality of life of rural residents, as well as supports local rural economies. On a larger scale, healthy and thriving healthcare systems are able to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, preventing the outward migration of skilled workers. Proposed services: The proposed project will focus on the following key activities: 1) Establish a formalized network to design, implement, oversee, and sustain project efforts, 2) Create the infrastructure and capacity to support successful project implementation, 3) Develop and launch new training programs supporting administrative support functions in health
care. New certification and degree programs will be offered in an exclusively online format with rolling monthly admission to make training accessible for non-traditional students (particularly existing healthcare staff seeking additional training), 4) Support training program students through financial assistance in order to increase equity to accessible and affordable training and education opportunities. Financial support (i.e. tuition/fees, laptop, etc.) will increase access to education for local students without the financial means to enroll in and complete certification and degree programs, and 5) Provide employment opportunities to individuals successfully completing certification and degree programs with healthcare organizations serving rural DRA residents. Population group(s) to be served: The proposed project will focus on two target populations: 1) recent high school graduates and 2) existing healthcare employees.