Colorado PEAK Updates

“January PEAK Updates: click here for a summary of the enhancements to PEAK this month. In addition to the enhancements, below is a summary of the issues that were resolved this month.

Community Partner Support Call: Support calls are scheduled to follow PEAK updates to discuss system performance and known issues. The next support call is Thursday, February 25th, 3:00 - 3:45 pm, phone: 877-820-7831, access code: 349141#.

2016 PEAK User Guides: We have been busy creating new training resources for 2016, and are in the midst of finalizing current PEAK user guides. The following new user guides are available: Application Status, Account Password-When Forgotten, and Account Password-Change Existing.” [Source: PEAK Colorado]

Loan Repayment Opportunity for ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics - applications due Jan. 31!

The application cycle for the Kaiser Permanente Education Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program is open January 1-January 31, 2016.

PLEASE SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH ALL CLINICAL SUPPORT STAFF! Forward email or print flyer and make it available to staff.

The Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) was funded by the Kaiser Permanente Community Health Fund to administer a loan repayment program for clinical support staff working at ClinicNET Safety Net Clinics, Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Rural Health Clinics in Colorado.  Loan repayment will help ease the burden of prior educational debt for clinical support staff in exchange for a one year service commitment to the safety net clinic.  The Kaiser Permanente Educational Loan Repayment for Safety Net Clinical Support Staff program will help modernize and expand the safety net workforce by supporting recruitment and retention of high performing clinical support staff committed to serving in underserved areas. Clinical support staff may include professions such as dental assistant, dental hygienist, expanded duties dental assistant, lab technician, licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, nursing aide, pharmacy technician, phlebotomist, registered nurse, ultrasound technician, and x-ray technician.

For questions, please contact Margaret Davidson at 303-867-9514 or at MDavidson@cchn.org or contact Angela Rose at 303-867-9511 or at Angela@cchn.org.

Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model – applications due March 31

“The Accountable Health Communities Model is currently accepting applications through March 31, 2016. The Model addresses a critical gap between clinical care and community services in the current health care delivery system by testing a systematic approach to identifying and addressing health-related social needs of Medicare & Medicaid beneficiaries. The Model awards cooperative agreements to organizations chosen to participate in the model test. Visit the website to access the Letter of Intent and Request for Applications - or email accountablehealthcommunities@cms.hhs.gov.” [Source: CMS]

The Colorado Health Foundation: Healthy Living and Health Coverage Advocacy Funding Available

“The Colorado Health Foundation is dedicated to making Colorado the healthiest state in the nation. We understand that many policy changes are necessary at the school, neighborhood, city and state level to achieve our goal. We also believe that in order to create lasting and positive change, Coloradan's voices should be represented in the health policy decisions that affect them.

Healthy Living (new)

• Leadership Development: Designed to cultivate and support passionate advocates for healthy living policies.
• Organizational Capacity Building: Supports organizations working to advance or preserve policies that create social, physical, and economic environments that promote health.
• Long-Term Policy Initiatives: Advances or preserves policies that create social, physical, and economic environments that promote health.

Health Coverage & Healthy Living (new)

• Rapid Response: Funding for short-term initiatives (three to nine months in length) focused on one or more policy priorities related to Health Coverage or Healthy Living.

Health Coverage (in progress)

• Consumer Advocacy: Ensuring public policy adequately addresses Colorado consumers’ need for a health insurance system that is stable, affordable and adequate.” [Source: TCHF]

Free dental care on Give Kids a Smile Day, Feb. 5!

"Dentists across Colorado have registered for Give a Kids a Smile Day (February 5) to provide free dental attention to children who are without dental insurance and from low-income families. There are appointments available in facilities in Aurora, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Denver, Louisville, and Westminster. Click here for more information and to schedule an appointment." [Source: Colorado Dental Association]

Spanish Language workshop for Health Care Professionals

“This four-day intensive Spanish workshop course (April 22-25), consists of conversational and medical dialogues, role-plays, visual aids, cross-cultural discussions, “edutainment”, and daily practice. The curriculum provides immersion learning, an approach that has proven to be extremely suitable for those with limited time, and who must use their new language skills immediately with their Spanish-speaking patients. Three skill levels will be offered, with separate classes for each level. Click here for more information and to register.” [Source: CHAMPS]

Upcoming Patient Navigator Trainings

“Level 1: In February, Level 1 will be offered in both Pueblo and Denver.  In March, we’ll take Level 1 north to Fort Collins. In the spring, Level 1’s will be offered in Colorado Springs, on the Western Slope and in metro Denver. Dates and exact locations are TBD – stay tuned!

Level 2: Advanced Health Behavior Change will be offered in in February and April (the January course is already full, but a waitlist is available). Advanced Care Coordination will also be offered in February.

Online: For those looking for an online course, the next installment of Emotional and Social Aspects of Disease (a Level 2 course) kicks off on May 8. This is an instructor-led course with weekly required participation. More info here. You can enrich your knowledge at any time with our free, self-paced eLearning courses. Topics include preventive healthcare, introduction to chronic disease, and clinical trials and patient navigation.

We are constantly adding new training opportunities. Our News, Facebook and Twitter pages are a great way to stay updated when courses are added.  The Events Calendar lists our most current schedule. If a course is not listed, a date has not been set and we will not be able to answer questions about upcoming course dates.” [Source: Patient Navigator Training Collaborative]