Outreach and Enrollment Distance Learning Series Recordings

“The Colorado Covering Kids and Families (CKF) project, as part of the Colorado Community Health Network, along with Community Health Association of Mountains/Plains States (CHAMPS) is hosting an Outreach and Enrollment (O&E) Distance Learning Series. Recordings of these webinars are available online for safety net providers. Some topics that have been presented so far are Patient Education and Health Insurance Literacy, Making the Business Case for O&E, and Best Practices for Young Adult Outreach. More webinars will be posted through September, so keep checking the website for more training resources.” [Source: Covering Kids and Families]

Diabetes education resources available

“The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) has gathered a variety of resources from leading health organizations to help older adults – and the people who care for them – better manage diabetes or take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes. The NDEP’s new webpage Diabetes Resources for Older Adults features a collection of resources organized in the following areas: Managing My Diabetes, Preventing Type 2 Diabetes, Helping a Loved One, and Health Care Professionals.” [Source: COPrevent]

AACDP and Safety Net Solutions dental clinic survey

“The American Association for Community Dental Programs (AACDP) and Safety Net Solutions, a program of DentaQuest Institute, would appreciate your assistance in completing a short survey. We are interested in gathering information about non-federally qualified health center dental clinics and programs located across the county to address oral disease prevention, treatment and education needs of uninsured and underserved populations. These clinics and programs are a vital part of the dental infrastructure system for vulnerable populations.

We ask that you take 10-15 minutes to complete the survey. Only AACDP and Safety Net Solutions team members who will analyze survey data will have access to your clinic or program information. Safety Net Solutions will use information from the survey to help determine the need for and interest in technical assistance from non-FQHC dental clinics and programs. Please complete the survey by May 30, 2014.” [Source: AACDP]

Apply now to become a National Health Service Corps site

“The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is currently accepting applications from healthcare sites to become NHSC-approved until June 16, 11:59 PM ET. NHSC-approved sites are healthcare facilities that provide comprehensive primary (medical, dental, and behavioral) healthcare services to populations residing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Click here to view more information on benefits of being an NHSC-approved site and eligibility requirements.

The NHSC encourages eligible sites to apply as early as possible. On average the site application can take 2-3 weeks from start to finish. A technical assistance on-demand webinar is now available.” [Source:  National Health Service Corps]

FREE Adult Exam Table

Mountain Resource Center has an adult exam table they would like to donate to a ClinicNET affiliate! Please contact Karen Verdier (karen@mrcco.org) if you are interested. You will have to be able to pick it up from Mountain Resource Center in Conifer.

Informational webinar on Project A-L-L to improve the health of diabetes patients

“A-L-L is a systematic medication protocol that has shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes by 71% after five years of therapy. A-L-L stands for Aspirin, Lisinopril, and Lipid-Lowering Medication. It is a simple and evidence-based medication bundle that align with recent guideline recommendations and can be used as a population management tool for diabetes. Since 2006, A-L-L program has been successfully implemented in over 60 community health centers and hospital systems serving over 40,000 low-income, uninsured, medically underserved and vulnerable patients with diabetes in five regions (including Colorado).

The ultimate goal of Project A-L-L is to improve the health of diabetic patients, specifically by preventing cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) recognizes that health care safety nets are essential partners in our shared goals of improving the health of individuals and communities. Therefore, CCHN is committed to provide technical support in translating this best practice into safety net settings, including a change package containing tools and resources and access to clinicians from Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

CCHN will be holding an informational webinar on the A-L-L program on Tuesday, June 3rd 11:00am-12:00pm. This webinar will be presented by Dr. Jim Dudl, who is the diabetes clinic lead and principle investigator for this A-L-L Program. For more information please view the informational document, FAQs for Providers, and the Readiness Assessment. To register, please contact: Joanna Leonard, Quality Initiative Coordinator - (303)867-9543 or joanna@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

Webinar on Health Policy and the 2014 Colorado Legislature

“What was the most noteworthy health policy bill of the 2014 session? What does this year’s budget tell us about health care priorities in Colorado? And what are the policy implications moving forward? Join Colorado Health Institute for a free webinar on Thursday, June 5, from noon-1 p.m. to learn more.

We will share the highlights of our annual Legislation in Review report, including an analysis of the key health policy trends of 2014 and a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest influencers at the capitol this year. From cost containment to immunizations, we’ll discuss the bills that passed – and those that didn’t – and provide a sneak preview of the policy issues on the horizon for next year. Click here to sign up today. For more information, please contact Megan Lane, Director of Legislative Services, at 720.382.7092 or lanem@coloradohealthinstitute.org.” [Source: CHI]

Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Offerings

Through a generous grant from Kaiser Permanente's Community Benefit Program, ClinicNET is pleased to once again offer access to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) offerings. This program offers ClinicNET affiliates access to conference registration scholarships and travel support funding to participate in IHI activities. Click here to see all offerings.  Upcoming seminars and training can also be viewed on IHI's website.

IHI is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate improvement by building the will for change, cultivating concepts for improving patient care, and helping health care systems put those ideas into action. IHI offers conferences and courses throughout the year.  For a list of IHI offerings available for support funding click here. If you are interested in a particular offering please contact Brooke Powers at brooke.powers@clinicnet.org or 720-863-7803.

New Health Advocacy Organization Appoints First Executive Director

“Last year, the Colorado Health Foundation created and seed funded a new, health-focused 501(c)(4) organization in an effort to bolster health advocacy in Colorado. Now that organization has a leader. The advocacy group, which will be officially named in the coming weeks, has hired Jake Williams as its executive director. As its new head, Williams will drive its mission to increase Coloradans' access to health coverage, quality health care and healthy living through changes in public policy. While the (c)(4) is separate from and independent of the Foundation, its mission not only aligns with our work but also with the health needs of Colorado communities.” [Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

Institute for Health Technology Transformation 2014 Health IT Summit July 22-23

“Each year, the Institute for Health Technology Transformation (iHT2) hosts a Denver-based conference which promotes improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care through information technology and facilitating knowledge exchange. For two full days, healthcare and technology executives interact with a national audience of peers, national leaders and solution providers featuring the latest solutions for practice management, mobility, telemedicine, outsourcing, IT infrastructure, next-generation electronic medical records, disease management, and more.

This year it will be July 22 8:00am – July 23 2:15pm at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. Registration is required, click here. The full conference agenda is available online.” [Source: CORHIO]

NeedyMeds Updates

“Patient Assistance Resource Education (PAFE) Tutorial Released
NeedyMeds just released a web-based, self-paced tutorial designed to teach medical office staff and other healthcare workers how to better help patients who can't afford their medications and healthcare costs. Office staff gain practical knowledge about how to access and enroll patients in assistance programs and receive a certificate upon completion of the tutorial. Medical offices pay a small fee to purchase the tutorial. See the NeedyMeds website for more information.

New Grant to Help Clinics Better Access Free Drug Programs
In March NeedyMeds announced a grant program for clinics and other organizations that help individuals apply for free medicines through pharmaceutical patient assistance programs. The grants will provide software that simplifies and automates the often tedious and time-consuming process of applying to patient assistance programs. The software, called PAPTracker, saved patients $142 million on over 156 thousand prescriptions last year. Eligible organizations must be non-profit, see patients face-to-face and currently help people apply to patient assistance programs. Full program details are available here.” [Source: NeedyMeds]

Register today for the 2014 AHA/ACC Guidelines Seminar & Dinner Event

“Learn more about “Navigating the New Treatment Guidelines: Cholesterol, HTN, and Lifestyle Management” on Thursday June 5th from 5:00-9:00pm. This free event (limited seating) includes a dinner buffet at Dave & Busters, 2000 S. Colorado Blvd. Register here. Click here for more information on the speakers Robert Echel, MD, FACC & Thomas Haffey, DO, FACC.” [Source: COPrevent]

Dental Benefits Collaborative Update

“Adult Dental Benefit:

• You may view the final version of the Adult Dental rule, which outlines the more comprehensive adult dental benefit that will become available as of July 1, 2014.
• The Department is pleased to report that the Joint Budget Committee authorized additional funding for complete dentures in the state’s 2014-15 budget. This new denture benefit will appear in rule separate from the adult dental benefit effective July 1, 2014 and will not be subject to the yearly $1,000 adult dental limit.
• A revised version of the Dental Listening Log has been posted to reflect the proposed denture policy.

Children’s Dental Benefit:

• All comments received as part of the 45 Day Public Comment Period for the revised Children’s Dental Benefit are now posted to the Dental Listening Log.
• In the meantime, a revised draft of the Children’s Dental Benefit Coverage Standards, which includes many changes as a result of the feedback we received, can be found on the Benefits Collaborative website.” [Source: HCPF]

HCPF Updates

“Joint ACA Communications Webinar: The Department has collaborated with Connect for Health Colorado and the Division of Insurance to record a communications webinar for our partners and stakeholders. The webinar is less than 30 minutes, goes over what the key messages are for clients and applicants following the close of the private insurance open enrollment period, and gives community partners ideas on what they can do to help after open enrollment. To view the webinar click here. For more information or questions, contact ACAImplementation@hcpf.state.co.us.

New Medicaid Provider Search: The Department launched a new online Medicaid Provider search feature which you can find here. The feature allows you to search for Colorado Medicaid providers by county for the following three categories: physicians, dentists or all providers. Please note it is the responsibility of providers to ensure their contact information is accurate and up-to-date. If providers need to update their information, they should call 1-800-237-0757.

New Peak Resources Available: The PEAK Outreach Team has created new resources for stakeholders to address the latest April 28 PEAK enhancements. The enhancements were put in place to improve the client and applicant experience. The guides can be found at Colorado.gov/HCPF/ACAResources under the PEAK Resources heading. Questions regarding these resources should be directed to PEAKOutreach@bouldercounty.org.

Click here to view the latest ACA Implementation News from May 15.” [Source: HCPF]

Survey: United Way 2-1-1 and CHW/PN Resources

“The Colorado Community Health Worker and Patient Navigator Collaborative have partnered with United Way 2-1-1 to create a portal to link CHW and PNs throughout Colorado. This portal will interface with 2-1-1 to access the over 13,000 resources they currently have in place, in addition to specific information about CHWs and PNs.

To further build and populate this site, we are requesting your help with providing details about your organization and CHW/PN services. Please fill out the survey to provide information about you and your organization. This is a very important one time request to gather very detailed information about your organization.  We will have the opportunity to update on a routine basis, but we need some assistance up-front to help build this site.

PLEASE RESPOND BY June 1st. Please let us know if you have any questions by contacting eryn.callihan@ucdenver.edu or Andrea.Dwyer@ucdenver.edu. Thank you for your help." [Source: University of Colorado Cancer Center]

Tobacco Review Committee Member Recruitment

“The Tobacco Review Committee is seeking applications for two upcoming vacancies on its legislatively mandated committee, specifically for:

1. a representative of a local public health agency, and
2. a member who represents a socio-demographic disadvantaged population in Colorado.

Please visit the website for more information.” [Source: COPrevent]

Informational webinar on Project A-L-L to improve the health of diabetes patients

“A-L-L is a systematic medication protocol that has shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes by 71% after five years of therapy. A-L-L stands for Aspirin, Lisinopril, and Lipid-Lowering Medication. It is a simple and evidence-based medication bundle that align with recent guideline recommendations and can be used as a population management tool for diabetes. Since 2006, A-L-L program has been successfully implemented in over 60 community health centers and hospital systems serving over 40,000 low-income, uninsured, medically underserved and vulnerable patients with diabetes in five regions (including Colorado).

The ultimate goal of Project A-L-L is to improve the health of diabetic patients, specifically by preventing cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) recognizes that health care safety nets are essential partners in our shared goals of improving the health of individuals and communities. Therefore, CCHN is committed to provide technical support in translating this best practice into safety net settings, including a change package containing tools and resources and access to clinicians from Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

CCHN will be holding an informational webinar on the A-L-L program on Tuesday, June 3rd 11:00am-12:00pm. This webinar will be presented by Dr. Jim Dudl, who is the diabetes clinic lead and principle investigator for this A-L-L Program. For more information please view the informational document, FAQs for Providers, and the Readiness Assessment. To register, please contact: Joanna Leonard, Quality Initiative Coordinator - (303)867-9543 or joanna@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

Loan Repayment Directly Benefitting Colorado’s Safety Net

“Congratulations to the 26 recipients of the Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Department for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff Program! CCHN received funding from Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to build upon workforce and clinical quality efforts over the next three years. CCHN developed the Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff Program in partnership with Colorado CHCs, Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) and ClinicNET. In January 2014, CCHN, CRHC and ClinicNET kicked off the first loan repayment cycle of the grant period. Two additional loan repayment application cycles will occur in January 2015 and January 2016. Learn more about loan repayment here.

During the first round of loan repayment, there was an outpouring of applications from the safety net organizations, receiving 113 eligible applications! The three organizations convened as part of the review committee and collectively determined the 26 award recipients who received $174,600 in loan repayment funds to pay off their education debt.” [Source: CCHN]

Patient Navigation, Community Health Work and Care Coordination in Colorado Survey Results

“The Community Health Workers and Patient Navigator Work Group is a statewide coalition comprised of local and state agencies, advocacy groups, philanthropic organizations and public and private health plan representatives.  This group coalesced in an effort to align all the various patient navigator/community health worker/promotoras groups in Colorado and develop a sustainable model for this important work.

The Regionalization Committee recently spearheaded a state wide survey to learn about who, what and where: services, research, training and policy are delivered/underway in Colorado.  Click here to learn more about the survey and view the results.”  [Source:  CO Community Health Worker and Patient Navigator Work Group]

Regional Grant Writing Workshop for A35 Grant Applications

“The A35 Regional Grant Writing Trainings are open for registration. These trainings are specifically designed for people who are intending to apply for Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Amendment 35 (A35) funding to support tobacco prevention, chronic disease, and health disparities-related efforts in their communities and who:

• Are new to grant writing
• May have applied for A35 funding in the past and did not receive funding
• Want to strengthen their grant writing skills.

Several regional grant writing training will be offered throughout Colorado, click here to view descriptions of the trainings and the registration links.” [Source: COPrevent]

Colorado Healthcare Provider Training for Implementing Tobacco Cessation Guidelines in Clinical Practice

“Colorado healthcare providers play a critical role in helping their patients quite tobacco, but many patients report their healthcare providers do not offer advice to quit. In order to better support healthcare professionals of all kinds, a new resource is available.

This free one hour training provides an overview on implementing tobacco cessation clinical guidelines in practice, the latest on medication protocols, practical tips on using motivational interviewing, information on resources such as the Colorado QuitLine, and guidance on addressing emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes with your patients. The training also highlights the recently released 32nd tobacco-related Surgeon General's Report "The Health Consequences of Smoking-50 Years of Progress" which presents new data on the health consequences of smoking. To view this webinar, please click here.” [Source: COPrevent]

Save the Date for the next Colorado Medical Home Forum

“The Colorado Medical Home Community Forum is a bimonthly meeting of Colorado Stakeholders representing various agencies, families, medical facilities, organizations and policymakers. Save the date for the next meeting: June 10, 4:30-6:45pm at CDPHE, Building A in the Sabin Room.

The topic will be a Health Care Reform Update: The Colorado Marketplace and Medicaid Expansion. Join us as we learn about successes and lessons learned in the first year of the Colorado Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid Expansion. We’ll also look forward to work going on to maximize the consumer experience in year two.” [Source: Colorado Medical Home Initiative]

"Just Check It" Workshop from the Center of African American Health

“The Center for African American Health is hosting orientations for its popular, “Just Check it,” home blood pressure monitoring program. “Just Check It,” provides participants vital self-management tools, including blood pressure cuffs, information on lifestyle choices, and a system to track and share home blood pressure results with a doctor or pharmacist. The program is completely FREE of cost and any individual with hypertension or prehypertension is eligible to participate.

Upcoming orientation dates: June 12, 6-8pm; June 19, 6-8pm; June 23, 1-3pm; June 25, 6-8pm. To learn more about the program or to inquire about future orientations, contact Wendy Smittick at wendy@caahealth.org or 303-355-3423 ext. 110.” [Source: COPrevent]

Please Respond: United Way 2-1-1 and CHW/PN Resources

“The Colorado Community Health Worker and Patient Navigator Collaborative have partnered with United Way 2-1-1 to create a portal to link CHW and PNs throughout Colorado. This portal will interface with 2-1-1 to access the over 13,000 resources they currently have in place, in addition to specific information about CHWs and PNs.

To further build and populate this site, we are requesting your help with providing details about your organization and CHW/PN services. Please fill out the survey to provide information about you and your organization. This is a very important one time request to gather very detailed information about your organization.  We will have the opportunity to update on a routine basis, but we need some assistance up-front to help build this site.

PLEASE RESPOND BY June 1st.  Please let us know if you have any questions by contacting eryn.callihan@ucdenver.edu or Andrea.Dwyer@ucdenver.edu.  Thank you for your help.” [Source: University of Colorado Cancer Center]

Free, HRSA-Funded Nursing Leadership Course

“The Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence is in the third year of offering a HRSA-funded Nursing Leadership workshop. The final workshop dates under this grant are May 22-23 and May 28-30 (a total of five days in two segments), in Denver. This free workshop includes six months of weekly coaching by trained coaches. We have had 193 workshop participants since 2011, and they have given it very positive reviews. The focus is improving skills related to: change management; diversity and culture; effective communication; conflict resolution; negotiating and setting boundaries; and creating excellence in the workplace.

This HRSA-funded workshop was created to focus on Directors of Nursing and Assistant Directors of Nursing in the long term care sector, but the leadership development and coaching content is applicable to multiple positions and settings.

Click here for more information on the workshop, or to sign up. If we don't sign up at least an additional 4 students signed up by May 16, we will have to cancel. For more information, call Ingrid Serio at 303-715-0343 #21 or email her at Ingrid@ColoradoNursingCenter.org.” [Source: Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence]

Motivational Interviewing 2-Day Training Opportunity

“The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program (CCSP) is excited to offer ClinicNET affiliate clinics a 2-day onsite Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training for patient navigators. Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based approach that seeks to strengthen an individual’s motivation and commitment to change.

The training will be May 28th, 12:00-5:00pm and May 29th 8:00am-3:00pm at Anschutz Medical Campus | Education 2 South, Room 2305 | 13121 East 17th Avenue | Aurora, CO 80045. Please RSVP to Tashia, latashia.warren@ucdenver.edu (attendee name and clinic) to confirm your attendance. CCSP will be able to offer travel/lodging reimbursement for training participants from CCSP participating clinics traveling from outside the Denver Metro Area. Please contact Ashley directly (ashley.abeyta@ucdenver.edu) if inquiring about airfare.” [Source: Colorado Colorectal Screening Program]

ClinicNET Conversations: May Blog Post by ClinicNET Executive Director, Sharon Adams

Check out Sharon’s May Blog Post, “Unsung Heroes of the Health Care Safety Net.” Click here to view past ClinicNET Conversations blog posts.

“Our Community Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) are full of heroes – volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to serve those most in need.” Continue reading…

CareMessage – Opportunity for ClinicNET Affiliates

“CareMessage is a Stanford University-born award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit health technology organization based in San Francisco.  CareMessage helps clinics reduce no-shows and save time spent on patient education and outreach, while improving patient health outcomes and reducing overall costs.  The technology complements existing clinic EMR systems and can be used by clinics without an EMR system.

With funding from the Packard Foundation CareMessage is distributing its service free of charge to Colorado's community safety net clinics for a year.  Although this campaign is primarily targeted at free and charitable clinics, nearly all community safety net clinics serving the low-income residents of Colorado are eligible to participate.

Check out the recorded informational webinar! Click here to view the webinar and enter the password: caremessage. CareMessage also holds live weekly webinars on Thursday, 11:00am: click here to join the meeting and call +1 (805) 309-0014, access code 638-690-917. If you would like more information after viewing the webinar, the informational document and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, please fill out this short interest form. Someone from CareMessage will schedule a follow-up call.  If you have any questions contact freeclinics@caremessage.org.”  [Source: CareMessage]

Connect for Health Colorado: Charting a Strong Path Forward, a Message from CEO Patty Fontneau

“More than 131,000 Coloradans have now signed up for private health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado. While open enrollment is now closed, our team remains very busy helping the many people in our state who are still eligible to get health insurance. We’re also continuing to make improvements to our technology as we plan and prepare for the next open enrollment period and beyond.

There has been a good deal of discussion and media coverage regarding the financial health and future of our Marketplace. I want to be clear: Connect for Health Colorado is one of the most financially secure marketplaces in the nation.  We have a solid plan that moves us to become self-sustaining by January 2015, when our federal start-up grants supporting operations will be gone.

This financial model is a diverse funding approach approved by our Board of Directors and supported by the State Legislature in 2013… Click here to continue reading the rest of the message.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “The Colorado Division of Insurance announced today it will ask the federal government for approval to change Colorado’s geographic rating areas for health insurance for 2015. DOI says the change is an effort to spread the risk and the health costs over a larger area. Learn more.
• If you have a life change event or if you have received an advance premium tax credit and your income has changed, please contact the Customer Service Center, 1-855-752-6749, to report changes. 
• The Non-Front Range Advisory Group will hold a webinar on Tuesday, May 13th at 10:00 am. Learn More.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

CDC offers toolkit for Asthma Awareness Month

“Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs of more than 25 million people in the United States, including 1 in 11 children. It causes 3 in 5 people living with asthma to limit their physical activity or miss days at school and work. Asthma is also expensive, costing the nation $56 billion each year. On World Asthma Day May 6 and throughout the month, people with asthma and organizations dedicated to asthma control and education join together to increase awareness about asthma and improve the lives of all people with asthma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced an Asthma Awareness Toolkit that includes key messages, videos and audio podcasts, sample social media and a personal asthma action plan builder.” [Source: COPrevent]

Motivational Interviewing 2-Day Training Opportunity

“The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program (CCSP) is excited to offer ClinicNET affiliate clinics a 2-day onsite Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training for patient navigators. Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based approach that seeks to strengthen an individual’s motivation and commitment to change.

The training will be May 28th, 12:00-5:00pm and May 29th 8:00am-3:00pm at Anschutz Medical Campus | Education 2 South, Room 2305 | 13121 East 17th Avenue | Aurora, CO 80045. Please RSVP to Tashia, latashia.warren@ucdenver.edu (attendee name and clinic) to confirm your attendance. CCSP will be able to offer travel/lodging reimbursement for training participants from CCSP participating clinics traveling from outside the Denver Metro Area. Please contact Ashley directly (ashley.abeyta@ucdenver.edu) if inquiring about airfare.” [Source: Colorado Colorectal Screening Program]

New TCHF Funding Opportunities: Healthy Living

“The Colorado Health Foundation is excited to announce the opening of two new funding opportunities within our Healthy Living outcome area. In Healthy Living, our focus is on ensuring that every kid in Colorado has the opportunity to eat healthy and engage in physical activity.

Funding Opportunity: Empower children and families to make healthy food choices
The goals of this funding opportunity are to increase individual knowledge and skills regarding the purchase and preparation of healthy foods and increase consumer demand by empowering individuals and families to easily make healthy food choices. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria and associated measurable results.

Funding Opportunity: Increase affordability of healthy food and beverages 
The goals of this funding opportunity are to increase affordability of healthy food and beverages and influence customer purchasing power to increase healthy food consumption and decrease unhealthy food consumption in underserved communities. To be considered for funding, applicants must meet specific criteria and associated measurable results.

Open Deadlines: June 2014, October 2014, February 2015 and June 2015.

Get more information about these funding opportunities at an upcoming applicant information webinar or by contacting the assigned program officers. You can also learn more about recently announced changes to the Foundation’s goals, strategies and grantmaking approach. Thank you for your interest in joining us as we work to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation.” [Source: The Colorado Health Foundation]

HCPF Updates

“Joint ACA Communications Webinar: The Department has collaborated with Connect for Health Colorado and the Division of Insurance to record a communications webinar for our partners and stakeholders. The webinar is less than 30 minutes, goes over what the key messages are for clients and applicants following the close of the private insurance open enrollment period, and gives community partners ideas on what they can do to help after open enrollment. To view the webinar click here. For more information or questions, contact ACAImplementation@hcpf.state.co.us.

New Medicaid Provider Search: The Department launched a new online Medicaid Provider search feature. The feature allows you to search for Colorado Medicaid providers by county for the following three categories: physicians, dentists or all providers.  Additionally, you can see the Medicaid Providers on a map and zoom in to your local community. Please note it is the responsibility of providers to ensure their contact information is accurate and up-to-date. If providers need to update their information, they should call 1-800-237-0757.

Accountable Care Collaborative Seeks Stakeholder Feedback: The Department is seeking stakeholder input and feedback on the future of the Accountable Care Collaborative (ACC). The Department and the Colorado Health Institute are traveling to stakeholder meetings across the state to discuss the ACC and learn about successful policies and supports.  These meetings are open to the public and will help to develop the next iteration of Colorado's groundbreaking system of health care delivery. Please consider attending a stakeholder meeting if you're interested in helping to shape the ACC's Strategic Plan, or want to inform the development of the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Regional Care Collaborative Organizations (RCCOs).  For information about the location and time of the meetings click here.  Click here to see the schedule of events. For more information, please contact Kathryn Jantz at rccorfp@state.co.us.” [Source: HCPF]

Registration is open for the 2014 Colorado Health Symposium!

“The 2014 Colorado Health Symposium will be held July 23-25 at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center. Register today!

With an emphasis on innovation and real-world solutions, the Colorado Health Symposium features fresh perspectives and new ideas from national thought leaders in health and health care. Set in scenic Keystone, CO, this annual event is regarded as one of the most widely discussed health policy conferences in the county.

The theme for the 2014 Colorado Health Symposium is: “Health Transformed: The Power of Engagement.” Over three days, we’ll explore the theories, policies and economics driving engagement and behavior change. We’ll learn how technology and transparency are changing consumer and patient expectations and engagement with the marketplace and service providers. Finally, we’ll demonstrate how innovated communities and sectors outside healthcare are supporting healthier populations.

Be prepared to learn, interact, problem-solve, partner and innovate. Attendance is limited and the Symposium sells out quickly. Reserve your place today!” [Source: Colorado Health Foundation]

Informational webinar on Project A-L-L to improve the health of diabetes patients

“A-L-L is a systematic medication protocol that has shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes by 71% after five years of therapy. A-L-L stands for Aspirin, Lisinopril, and Lipid-Lowering Medication. It is a simple and evidence-based medication bundle that align with recent guideline recommendations and can be used as a population management tool for diabetes. Since 2006, A-L-L program has been successfully implemented in over 60 community health centers and hospital systems serving over 40,000 low-income, uninsured, medically underserved and vulnerable patients with diabetes in five regions (including Colorado).

The ultimate goal of Project A-L-L is to improve the health of diabetic patients, specifically by preventing cardiovascular events (heart attack and stroke). The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) recognizes that health care safety nets are essential partners in our shared goals of improving the health of individuals and communities. Therefore, CCHN is committed to provide technical support in translating this best practice into safety net settings, including a change package containing tools and resources and access to clinicians from Kaiser Permanente Colorado.

CCHN will be holding an informational webinar on the A-L-L program on Tuesday, June 3rd 11:00am-12:00pm. This webinar will be presented by Dr. Jim Dudl, who is the diabetes clinic lead and principle investigator for this A-L-L Program. For more information please view the informational document, FAQs for Providers, and the Readiness Assessment. To register, please contact: Joanna Leonard, Quality Initiative Coordinator - (303)867-9543 or joanna@cchn.org.” [Source: CCHN]

Promote New SGR Findings During Healthy Vision Month

“May is Healthy Vision Month and provides a chance to educate your community about the health consequences of smoking on vision. You can use this new infographic and messaging in your social media efforts, tweets and posts.

A new Surgeon General's Report finding: Smoking is now known to cause age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, is an eye disease that causes loss of vision in the center of the field of vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 65. Smoking also causes cataracts, and both diseases are major causes of blindness.

For more information about smoking and eye health, visit the following websites: Prevent Blindness and CSC’s Health Vision Initiative.” [Source: COPrevent]

Connect for Health Colorado Updates

• “Connect for Health Colorado has signed up the 4th highest number of people for private health insurance among all states that operated their own Marketplaces, according to new data released Thursday from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Cervices (CMS). Read more about it in our latest press release.
• The Colorado Division of Insurance announced Friday it will allow insurance companies to continue health plans for individuals and small groups that do not comply with the ACA’s minimum coverage for one more year, through 2015. Learn more.
• The Individual Experience Advisory Group will meet Tuesday, May 6th at 10:00am. Learn more. Outreach and Communications Advisory Group members and participants are invited to attend this meeting.” [Source: Connect for Health Colorado]

Regional Grant Writing Workshops for Ammendment 35 Funding

“The A35 Regional Grant Writing Trainings are open for registration. These trainings are specifically designed for people who are intending to apply for Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Amendment 35 (A35) funding to support tobacco prevention, chronic disease, and health disparities-related efforts in their communities and who:

• Are new to grant writing
• May have applied for A35 funding in the past and did not receive funding
• Want to strengthen their grant writing skills.

Several regional grant writing training will be offered throughout Colorado, click here to view descriptions of the trainings and the registration links.” [Source: COPrevent]

CDPHE & CBS4 Prediabetes Spanish Language Campaign

“One in three U.S. adults has prediabetes; most are unaware they are at risk. CBS4 is continuing its prediabetes campaign to raise awareness through May 2014. The campaign is designed to educate consumers about risk factors that lead to type 2 diabetes and drive enrollment into the Diabetes Prevention Program.

The campaign is targeting Spanish speaking consumers in Denver. CBS4 has partnered with Entravision (Univision TV, KPXk and KJMN Radio) to produce Spanish language television and radio spots.  Spanish speaking consumers are directed to a custom website, which provides educational information on prediabetes risk factors, and encourages a call to 1-800 Diabetes to learn more. CBS Outdoor assets at bus shelters, outdoor benches and billboards  further extend the campaign reach and can be seen around the Denver metro in various locations. To learn more about the Diabetes Prevention Program in Colorado, please visit our home page.”  [Source: COPrevent]

Colorado Telehealth Network offers subsidies to Community Safety Net Clinics

“The Colorado Telehealth Network (CTN) seeks to maximize access to health care services, especially in underserved regions of Colorado, through information and communications technology. Presently CTN provides subsidized broadband connectivity to 200 behavioral and physical health care sites in Colorado, and is happy to announce they can now offer their programs to Community Safety Net Clinics!

As a Community Safety Net Clinic you are likely eligible to save a substantial amount of money on your telecom expenses through CTN’s federal program. To find out how CTN can help apply these subsidies to your telecom budget, please contact Tracy Hines, Member Service Manager: 720-330-6069 or tracy.hines@cha.com. Thank you in advance for your interest!” [Source: CTN]

HCPF April Issue of At a Glance

The April At a Glance publication provides information on major initiatives including policy changes and program updates from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.  [Source:  HCPF]