Health Center Controlled Network - The Virginia Primary Care Association (Association) is a not-for-profit statewide Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) of 29 community health centers (CHCs) and similar community based organizations (26 CHCs in Virginia, 2 CHCs with headquarters in West Virginia and 1 Virginia rural health clinic). Since 1980, the Association has provided training and technical assistance to health centers in areas such as governance, administration, clinical, behavioral health, compliance, finance, and workforce. Topics have included addressing system/infrastructure change, Patient Centered Medical Home, clinical/staff development, recruitment and retention services, board and executive development, emergency preparedness, financial training, billing/coding, data-driven decisions, value-based care, clinical benchmarking, integrated care, and use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The Association is requesting funding to provide HCCN training and technical assistance services to 27 HCCN participants. The project has the potential to impact more than 400,000 patients. The activities proposed by the Association will support health centers in leveraging health information technology (HIT) and data to deliver high-quality, culturally competent, equitable, and comprehensive primary health care, with a specific focus on improvements in clinical quality, patient-centered care, and provider and staff well-being. Key Objectives: Enhance Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement robust data collection and analysis systems to identify trends, gaps in care, and opportunities for improvement. Promote Interoperability and Information Sharing: Foster seamless information exchange among health centers and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care and eliminate redundant services. Expand Access to Quality Care: Expand access to essential health services, including primary care, behavioral health, dental care, and preventive services, through innovative delivery models and telehealth. Strengthen Workforce Development: Invest in the recruitment, training, and retention of a highly skilled healthcare workforce. Support the development of leadership skills and promote professional growth opportunities to ensure the long-term sustainability of our network. Improve Population Health: Implement evidence-based interventions to address chronic diseases, substance use disorders, and other health conditions that disproportionately affect underserved communities. Collaborate with community partners to promote health education, wellness programs, and social determinants of health initiatives. By achieving these objectives, our HCCN will significantly improve the health and well-being of our community, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen the healthcare safety net. Over the project period the Association will meet the identified needs of the CHCs through training and technical assistance, development of individualized work plans for each CHC, and providing informatics and data reporting to improve quality of care delivered. The population group served by the project includes children, adults, the elderly, patients in rural/suburban/city locations, and patients across racial and ethnic diversity. The Association proposes a comprehensive Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN) to enhance the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services for underserved populations in Virginia. Our network will leverage data-driven insights, innovative technologies, and collaborative partnerships to address critical health disparities and improve patient outcomes.
