ClinicNET Status Update

ClinicNET has cherished its role in advancing health equity, health care access and innovative care delivery.  For more than a decade the organization has worked to strengthen Colorado’s health care safety net for people in need by supporting Community Safety Net Clinics.  ClinicNET has long provided a centralized voice for these clinics and providers that serve at risk and vulnerable populations.  In recent years, advocacy, policy and informing state initiatives have become essential dimensions of ClinicNET’s contribution to Colorado’s safety net system of care. 

Although the importance of ClinicNET’s work is widely acknowledged, diversifying and continuing to secure ongoing funding has been difficult in spite of multiple approaches explored to achieve sustainability.  As a result, ClinicNET’s day-to-day operations will ceaseNovember 30, 2016 and the business will close December 31, 2016. 

Over the next two months, thanks to Brooke Powers, Anne Taylor and Cathryn Benedict, ClinicNET will continue essential advocacy, policy, communications and practice transformation work.  However, in order to optimally resource these key services, Sharon Adams tenure as ClinicNET’s Executive Director will end on October 7.  Over the next two weeks Sharon will reach out to like-missioned partners and begin a conversation about what opportunities might exist for the affiliate clinic connections that have been so richly cultivated over the years under the ClinicNET umbrella to continue in a different manner.   

Please feel free to reach out to Sharon at sharon.adams@clinicnet.org or 303-808-5517 or Kimberly Boyd, ClinicNET Board President at kim.boyd@niteize.com or 303-667-6061 with questions.

2016 Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff!

CCHN was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support professionals as part of the Preparing the Safety Net for the Future Health Care initiative.

Application Cycle:  October 17 - November 14, 2016

Who Can Apply:  Current clinical support staff who provide direct patient care.  Employees may work at ClinicNET clinics, Rural Health Centers and Federaly Qualified Health Centers in Colorado.

Key Criteria:  
-Employed with clinic for at least six months.
-Hold a certificate or degree from an accredited health profesional training institution.
-Educational debt was in good standing.
-Award ranges $6,000 - $10,000 depending on years of employment.

Click HERE for more loan repayment information.

[Source: CCHN]

Primary Care Fund Workgroup Seeking Volunteers

The Primary Care office will soon be establishing the Primary Care Fund Workgroup that had been mentioned at the Annual Stakeholders meeting. This workgroup will offer information and recommendations to the Department on selected topics. They are asking for volunteers, from which 5 or 6 participants will be selected. While the workgroup will be small, we will communicate decisions reached by the Department broadly.

Our goal is to have a representative from each of the following:
CCHN
ClinicNet (will attend October and November meetings)
Large urban clinic
Small urban clinic
Rural clinic
Potentially another?

The topics and schedule will be:
Waiving Application Responses, Acceptable Certifications and Quality Assurance Programs
Tuesday, October 18, 1:00 - 2:30pm
303 E. 17th St., Room 7C

Sample Size for Data Verification, Sliding Fee Schale, Cost Effective Care
Monday, November 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
303 E. 17th St., Room 7A

Accurate FPL Tables, Rule Changes
Wednesday, December 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
303 E. 17th St., Room 7C

If interested in being a member of this workgroup, please notify us by October 5 at Primary.Care@state.co.us.   The Department will make selections and notifications by October 11, 2016.  Please direct any questions to primary.care@hcpf.state.co.us.

[Source:  HCPF]

Less than 45 Days Away to Win Amendment 72!

"We're going to grab some free media attention with a volunteer Take A Stand event with 72 Volunteers Standing for Amendment 72 at the Colorado Convention Center this Saturday, October 1st outside the Bellco Theater when 5,000 politically engaged participants show up to attend Trevor Noah's Stand Up Show. Trevor is the new host of the Daily Show.

RSVP to Take A Stand for 72 beginning at 6:30 pm (free event)
Buy Tickets and take our message into the Trevor Noah show at 7:30 pm (paid event)
Pick up your yard signs on Oct. 1st from our rented 16 foot truck beginning at 6 pm(donations welcome)
Sign up to call voters so we can counter the $7.8 M in Big Tobacco Ads (sweat equity)

Hope to See you Saturday when 72 of us Take a Stand for 72!
The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado "

[Source:  The Campaign for a Health Colorado]

Upcoming Fall Workshops for Patient Navigators

Facilitation Skills for Patient Navigators
Are you a patient navigator looking to enhance your group education sessions or improve collaboration with your co-workers? Or maybe you're a PN manager seeking to learn more about group dynamics and the individual needs of your employees. Whether you facilitate group-level interventions, staff meetings, or other group activities, this training is for you. All experience levels welcome.
Dates/Time: Oct. 11 and 12, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Arvada
Register Here

Level 2: Advanced Motivational Interviewing for Patient Navigators
In this course, you will expand your skills related to the strategic use of questions and reflections to build upon and deepen client change talk.
Date/Time: Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: Denver
Register Here

Level 2: Advanced Health Behavior Change
This course provides tools and strategies to help clients around diet, exercise, diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention and control.
Date/Time: Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Colorado Springs
Register Here

Level 3: Patient Navigator Supervisor
This course is designed for supervisors of navigators, program planners and administrators of patient navigator programs.
Date/Time: Nov. 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: South Denver
Register Here

[Source: Patient Navigator Training Collaborative]

New Tools for Clinicians to Improve Diagnosis and Blood Pressure Control Rates

Target: BP is a nationwide initiative to address high blood pressure in the United States. Brought to you by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), Target: BP’s goal is to reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by supporting physician practices and health systems in improving diagnosis and blood pressure control rates among patients with hypertension.  Click Target: BP here for more information.

[Source: COPrevent]

October 1st! Important Deadline for Medicare EHR Incentive Program

If you are new to the Medicare incentive program, read on for important information that will help you avoid payment adjustments.

[Source CORHIO]

ECHO Colorado Current Series

Mood & Anxiety Disorders: Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment
Starting October 26th- December 7th Meets online every Wednesday from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.

Medical professionals who want to learn or refresh on basic screening and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of mood and anxiety disorders are encouraged to register and to participate in this ECHO learning community.

For weekly topic information and to register click HERE

Evaluation of Physical Abuse: Child Maltreatment Part 1
Starting October 18th - November 29th Meets online every Tuesday from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Medical professionals who want to confidently evaluate and treat children who may be experiencing physical abuse are encouraged to register and to participate in this ECHO learning community.

For weekly topic information and to register click HERE

[Source ECHO Colorado]

Hot Issues in Health Care Conference

December 14 & 15, 2016 ~ Cheyenne Mountain Resort

The Colorado Health Institute (CHI) is pleased to invite you to Hot Issues in Health Care 2016, the state’s premier health policy conference.

This year, we will focus on the future of health care policy in Colorado following the presidential, Congressional and state General Assembly elections. We will discuss our state’s most critical health and health care issues, and the policy options to address those challenges. And we will delve into the federal and state health policy decisions that can best impact health in Colorado’s communities.
For more information and registration click HERE

[Source: Colorado Health Institute]

Vote YES on 72!

The fact is, voting YES on 72 puts tobacco companies on the hook for the trouble they cause in Colorado. And it will benefit Coloradans most affected by smoking, helping them to quit and accelerating research in Colorado to prevent and treat diseases like lung cancer, asthma, and heart disease.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

[Source: Yes on Amendment 72 Campaign]

Save the Date! November 4th! Corps Community Day Celebration

Friday, November 4, 2016  ~  Marriott Denver West, Golden, CO  

Celebrate the positive impact of the Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) have on improving access to health care.  The importance of the primary care workforce will also be highlighted, including Corps members, health professional students and safety-net clinic sites.

New this year is a day of free training opportunities before the evening awards reception. Trainings are open to all regardless of participation in CHSC or NHSC. This includes health center staff, medical residents, and health professional students of all levels and specialties. Register here and see course descriptions and session times.

Training topics include:

• Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
• Cavity Free at Three
• Diabetes Prevention
• Immunization Policy and Practice
• Tobacco Screening and Intervention

The evening reception (6pm – 8pm) will be a celebration and networking opportunity with speakers, food and beverages, and awards to outstanding CHSC and NHSC participants and alumni. Nominate a CHSC, NHSC or NURSE Corps clinician, or a Colorado health professions student who embodies the mission of the Corps: To build healthy communities by supporting qualified health care providers dedicated to working in areas in Colorado with limited access to care. Nomination deadline is close of business on October 7, 2016.

[Source: CRHC]

Building Skills for Effective Teams (BSET)

The BSET training program is scheduled to start in October 2016 and run through September 2017. All members of teams must commit to attend all scheduled dates. Teams will meet approximately once a quarter for 2.5 day workshops in Denver, Colorado on the following dates.

• Session 1 of 4: October 20-22, 2016 (confirmed dates)   Major Content Topics Include: IPCP Intro; Team Excellence Assessment; Team Effectiveness; Debrief EQ-I and DiSC; Establishing Huddles; High Ropes Course (Saturday)
• Session 2 of 4: December 14-16, 2016  Major Content Topics Include: IPCP Teams Application; Team Excellence Exploration; Coaching; Team Huddles; Capstone Identification; Eight Dimensions of Team; Low Ropes Course
• Session 3 of 4: Feb 22-24, 2017  Major Content Topics Include: Working with IPCP teams; Team Accountability and Respect; Effective Communication; Conflict Resolution; Boundaries; Enhancing Engagement; Decreasing Resistance
• Session 4 of 4: May 31-June 2, 2017  Major Content Topics Include: Strategies for IPCP Team Perseverance; Sustainable Action; Competition vs. Collaboration ; IPCP Quality Improvement;
• September 15, 2017  Final Capstone Presentation and Celebration 

Components of BSET Teams, Capstone, and Coaching

Teams must include at least two providers from the following professions: primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or dentists. Teams can range in size from four (4) to seven (7) staff members. Remaining team members can be any other member of the team such as registered nurses, case managers, behavioral health staff, medical assistants, and other frontline clinical and nonclinical support staff who work with these primary care providers. Over the course of the year, teams will complete a capstone project Individualized team coaching throughout the year will be provided by Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence.

Click here to register. If you have questions, please contact Angela@cchn.org or at 303-867-9511
[Source: CRHC & CCHN]

CICP Name Change Survey

"The Department welcomes your participation in this survey regarding selection of a new name to replace the name for the existing Colorado Indigent Care Program (CICP). We intend for this new name to take effectJuly 1, 2017. We in the Special Financing Division who administer the CICP have been working with the Department's Policy, Communications and Administration Office to develop a new name which will reflect the nature of the transformed program. We are presenting two possible options for you in this survey that are the result of that process. In addition, the survey is structured to offer you an option to submit another name of your choice and any comments you may have.

New CICP Name Survey
Please respond by Monday, September 26, 2016.

Send any questions you may have to CICPCorrespondence@state.co.us."

[Source:  Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment]

Register Today: Webinar for TCHF Strengthening Primary Care Funding Opportunity

"With the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid expansion and the growing momentum towards outcomes-based payment models, Colorado primary care providers are adapting to a changing environment. Debt can be a strategic and financially viable way to support primary care clinics’ one-time and ongoing resource needs connected to adaptation. This 90-minute webinar, “An Introduction to Debt & Financing for Colorado Primary Care Clinics” facilitated by Nonprofit Finance Fund is intended for primary care clinic staff and board members interested in applying for the Strengthening Primary Care funding opportunity. It is structured to provide an understanding of the key opportunities and risks associated with the use of debt to support capitalization needs. The training includes content that will provide participants with:

• A greater understanding of the types of loans that primary care clinics commonly utilize;
• Best-practices in accessing debt and its strategic uses; and 
• Approaches to communicating resource needs and preparing for requests for debt (i.e., roles of people, processes and financial reports).

This webinar will be hosted by Alice Antonelli, advisory services director at Nonprofit Finance Fund, on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 12:30-2 p.m. Colorado-based primary care clinics interested in the Foundation’s Strengthening Primary Care funding opportunity are encouraged to join."

[Source:  The Colorado Health Foundation]

October 15 Deadline: TCHF Funding Opportunities!

HealthyLiving
Creating Healthy Schools - Local Implementation
Creating Healthy Schools - Local Planning and Assessment
Healthy Living Advocacy - Organizational Capacity Building

HealthCare
Primary Care Leadership
Strengthening Primary Care
Telehealth

HealthCoverage
Health Insurance Literacy

As the  Oct. 15 application deadline nears, TCHF wants to make sure you have all of the information you need. Do you have questions about open funding opportunities or do you need help with the grant application process?  There are informational webinars and resources to help you:

• Click here to view archived webinars, which are hosted by the Foundation's program officers and staff. You'll find applicant information sessions that provide information for any funding opportunity, as well as several webinars that dive into specific funding opportunities.
• If you have questions about the technical aspects of the grant application, click here to view  Grant Application webinar with the Director of Grantmaking Operations, Sara Guillaume.
• As always, contact The Colorado Health Foundation with any questions about open funding opportunities or the grant application process. 

[Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Get Help Selecting the Best Practice Transformation Track

"As practices gear up for new payment models and integrate behavioral health and primary care to ensure healthier patients, there are many options for support and coaching. The Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM) is one of several options for primary care practices in the state. The SIM team created a decision tree survey to help you identify which program is best-suited to help your practice move along the continuum of value-based care."

Click HERE to take the decision tree survey.

[Source: SIM Office Newsletter]

We Need to Be Strong to WIN in November!

"The election is fast approaching, and we need to make sure Coloradans know about our campaign and help us pass Amendment 72 because this is the best way to prevent tobacco companies from hooking more kids on their deadly products. Now is the time to make sure you and your friends, family, and neighbors are following us on social media to help us spread the word.

Big Tobacco has already spent $700,000 to spread misleading and outright false claims, continuing their long tradition of deceit and misinformation. They’re going to fight for their profits, putting our kids’ health in jeopardy.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD TODAY  Please forward this to your friends, colleagues and Colorado voters who want to stop Big Tobacco. 

Thanks again for your continued support."

[Source: HealthyColorado]

CORHIO Updates: Program Year 2016 attestation

New Information...

• Tips for preparing for Program Year 2016 attestation
• Programmatic Updates and Resources
• Resources

READ MORE

[Source: CORHIO]

Statewide Resource and Services through the PN CHW & PdS Alliance Portal

Are you interested in connecting your patient navigators, community health workers or promotores de salud services with others or find the people in the communities providing these services?  The PN CHW and PdS Alliance is building a portal with United Way 2-1-1 just for you.  Here's how to enter your information...It’s EASY!!

You can start the process by:

1. Calling United Way 2-1-1 and Reference the Alliance Portal to enter your information at the United Way 2-1-1 Office, 303-561-2112
   or
2. Enter your information in the survey link below and a United Way 2-1-1 Operator will call you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LCRNSYP

[Source:  PN CHW PdS Alliance]

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September 2016 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that effect people when they are most vulnerable. Suicidal thoughts and suicide occur too frequently but should not be considered common and can indicate more serious issues. In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide.

• Know the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide
• Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver
• Being Prepared for a Crisis

National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

[Source:  COPrevent]

60 Day Notice!

Transition to the Colorado interChange and new Provider Web Portal

New Plan Information
On October 31, 2016, Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE) will assume fiscal agent operations on behalf of Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). These operations include the transition to the Colorado interChange (a new claims payment system) and a new provider Web Portal.

Claims Payment Delays
During the transition to the new Colorado interChange, there will be a delay in payments for ALL providers. The length of delay will depend on the type of claim you're submitting. The Department recognizes that payment delays can create challenges for providers, which is why we're providing this information now so you can plan accordingly. Unfortunately, these delays are unavoidable and no exceptions can be made.

For important dates, go to Provider Resources web page.

[Source:  HCPF]

Registration closes Friday!

Attend The Colorado Trust's Health Equity Learning Series on Sept. 16
Click here for more information and to RSVP.

TCHF Funding Opportunity: Strengthening Primary Care

This initiative is intended to support primary care providers by offering low-interest loans in addition to grants so that organizations can access the flexible capital they need to increase access to and improve the delivery of comprehensive, person-centered care. Grants of up to $500,000 and/or low-interest loans in the range of $500,000 to $5 million are available to clinics for physical and information technology infrastructure as well as working capital related to expansion or improvements to care delivery.

Colorado organizations providing primary care services may apply for funds to support the following projects:

• Facility acquisition, construction, renovation or expansion
• Medical and office equipment purchases
• Hardware, software, installation and technical assistance costs associated with health information technology systems
• Working capital for expenses associated with new or expanded services

Nonprofit entities are encouraged to consider applying for loans or a mix of grant and loan funding if appropriate. Applicants may indicate their interest in applying for a low-interest loan within the grant application. Register for an upcoming webinar, “An Introduction to Debt & Financing for Colorado Primary Care Clinics” by the Nonprofit Finance Fund for more information on key opportunities and risks associated with the use of debt to support capitalization needs.

The Foundation is partnering with Vital Healthcare Capital (V-Cap) to provide low-interest loans. V-Cap will accept loan applications on a rolling basis.

Grant Deadlines: Oct. 15, 2016, Feb. 15, 2017, June 15, 2017
Program Officer:  Tanya Weinberg at tweinberg@coloradohealth.org; 303-953-3643
[Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado/Tobacco Tax Increase Needs Your Help to Win!

Cigarettes kill more than 5,000 Coloradans every year, and the tobacco industry will stop at nothing to saddle kids with a lifelong and deadly addiction. Big Tobacco, in fighting a similar tax increase in California, has already spent almost $37 million. They will spend millions here to spread false claims in an effort to defeat the cigarette tax increase so they can sell more cigarettes.

BIG TOBACCO HAS MILLIONS TO SPEND, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO AMPLIFY OUR MESSAGE. SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN AND HELP US GET OUR MESSAGE OUT.

Last year cigarette sales increased in Colorado for the first time in over a decade. Increasing the cigarette tax is a proven way – and the most effective way - to get kids and adults to stop buying cigarettes and getting addicted.

Please engage with the campaign on social media (on Facebook and Twitter). 

IMPORTANT Update from the SIM Team

The SIM team is delaying the application for cohort 2 to allow practices time to prepare, identify the federal initiatives that are right for them and move forward accordingly. Instead of releasing the application Aug. 31 we will release it in the fall to provide time to incorporate lessons learned from the first cohort.

CPC+
We encourage practices that applied for CPC+ to download a PDF of their applications. When the SIM application is released this fall, your practice will have the opportunity to submit this PDF as part of the SIM application. Your practice can then access an abbreviated set of SIM questions to avoid re-entering information asked on the CPC+ application into the SIM application. We believe that SIM and CPC+ are complementary, which is why we have encouraged practices to apply for both initiatives that are funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Now that we are six months into implementing practice transformation activities with cohort 1 practices, we have identified areas that can be fine-tuned to ensure long-term success, which is one reason for delaying the application for cohort 2. We want to be responsive to the feedback we have received from practices, practice coaches and payers so we can ensure that the SIM initiative helps primary care practices move along the continuum toward value-based payment that rewards a person-centric approach to healthcare delivery.

Next steps

1. We realize that some practices have signed up for webinars focused on the SIM application and will ensure that those individuals receive new dates for the webinars once the SIM application is posted this fall.
2. The SIM team, which includes a small group of professionals who work with the Governor’s office and trusted partners at the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine, is dedicated to helping practices integrate behavioral health and primary care with infrastructure supports to ensure sustained success. 
3. We realize the hard work this entails. We have identified several success stories in the first six months of implementation and a few ways to improve the program for providers as well as payers. The request for application for cohort 2 will include details that will help prepare practices for the program and create an environment for success.
4. Please stay tuned for the release of the SIM application for cohort 2, follow the SIM team on social media channels (and sign up for the SIM newsletter (https://goo.gl/9CZT2q) to hear more about the successes we are seeing with cohort 2 practices, the benefits of joining this transformation community and the ways in which the SIM initiative prepares practices for success in a value-based world.

[Source: Colorado SIM]

News from COPrevent

Toolkit on Incorporating Clinical Pharmacists in the Patient Centered Medical Home

As part of a patient's health care team, pharmacists can improve health outcomes by increasing medication adherence, optimizing medication regiments, managing chronic diseases and providing patient planning, education and counseling. A toolkit from The University of Colorado provides sample agreements and resources helpful for health systems interested in integrating clinical pharmacists into the care team.

Colorado DSME Sharing Call - Social Determinants of Health
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Telligen are hosting a series of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) sharing calls on Thursday, September 29th that will focus on Social Determinants of Health. On our first sharing call, many social determinants of health were mentioned as barriers to DSME participation and retention.

Providers and Program Staff of ADA or AADE accredited DSME programs are strongly encouraged to join one of our 30 minute calls. We look forward to our second call that will include the following:

• Facilitated peer to peer discussion on social determinants of health and how you’re addressing them
• Planning for future sharing calls, based on feedback from sharing call #1

Join us on Thursday, September 29th for a 30 minute call at 8:30 a.m or 12:00 p.m. Please register in advance here.

[Source: COPrevent]

Colorado Medical Home Community Forum

Supporting Integrated Care
September 13, 2016
4:30 - 6:30pm

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr S
Denver, Colorado 80246
DOC Room, Building A
For more details and to RSVP

The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado/Tobacco Tax Increase

ClinicNET has endorsed the proposed tobacco tax increase and we encourage you and your organization to do the same! The proposed tobacco tax increase will be on the November ballot. Click here to learn more! Click here to sign on in support! Engage with the campaign on social media via Facebook and Twitter!

[Source:  The Campaign for a Healthy Colorado]

2016 Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Offerings for ClinicNET Affiliates

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to be able to offer to contributing ClinicNET Affiliates access to Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) registration scholarships and travel support funding! Upcoming 2016 in-person and web-based training opportunities. If interested in participating in a training or conference, click here to complete an online application!   

IHI Quick Course:  Better Quality Through Better Measurement
September 27, 2016, Philadelphia
October 25, 2016, Chicago
November 7, 2016, Denver
Session Details

Applying Value Management to Health Care
November 2 - 4, 2016, Washington D.C.
Session Details

28th National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care
December 4 - 7, 2016, Orlando, FL
Conference Details

Contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803 with any questions.  
[Source:  IHI]