Program Updates

Domestic Violence Ambassador Project ECHO starting 3/12/2020

This Project ECHO® porgram is intended for nominated health centers staff to develop expertise and competency at the Health Center level to respond to anyone experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and/or Human Trafficking (HT).

The health centers currently participating are; Southwest Community Health Center, Charter Oak Health Center, InterCommunity Health Care, StayWell Health Center, and Community Health and Wellness Center of Torrington

CQC (Clinical Quality Committee)

The Clinical Quality Committee (CQC) meets quarterly to bring together staff in clinical quality at the Health Centers. Out of these conversations, clinical quality needs emerge which create CQC cohorts regarding specific clinical quality improvement needs. The cohorts then meet once a month. Each individual cohort focuses on one topic such as diabetes care, hypertension, improving cancer screenings, etc.

The CQC met on 2/24/2020.  Participating health centers were: Intercommunity Health Care, Community Health and Wellness of Torrington, Staywell Health Center, Community Health Services, Family Centers, Generations Family health Center, Southwest Community Health Center, CIFC Greater Danbury Community Health Center, Charter Oak Health Center, Wheeler Clinic, and First Choice Health Centers.

Community Health Services Virginia Potrepka, Carlos DeLeon, MD, and Jamie Kweon APRN presented their path to receiving NCQA Diabetes recognition. Community Health Services shared their successful Diabetes clinic that aligns with the NCQA requirements. First Choice’s Shelia Sutton and Care coordinator Valerie Lopez-Iglesias shared their experience with the online Community Health workers training models provided by CHCACT September 2019. Intercommunity shared their initiative  to implement nurse visits to engage patients and reduce no show rates. Retinal eye exam equipment was discussed between health centers.
Our next CQC meeting is scheduled for: 4/20/2020

Healthcare for the Homeless Workgroup

CHCACT convenes a quarterly Health Care for the Homeless Workgroup for FQHC staff to engage in systematic program evaluation and use the information to improve the quality of care for patients experiencing homelessness.

CHCACT had a Healthcare for the Homeless Workgroup meeting on February 26. Five health centers attended, SouthWest Community Health Center, Charter Oak Health Center, Community Health and Wellness Center of Torrington, Cornell Scott-Hill Health, and StayWell Health Center.

Each health center gave an overview of their program, including any successes and challenges they are experiencing, and any training and technical assistance needs they have. CHCACT is coming up with topics for the meetings and is currently looking at providing information and resources around advocacy and policy.

Shout Outs

UCFS and COHC on 2/27/2020 Elevate Call - Kudos to United Community & Family Services and Charter Oak Health Center for showcasing the evolution of the risk stratification work they started under PTN and being recognized on a National level for it on the 2/27/2020 NACHC Elevate webinar/call.

Health centers that want to share news, events, etc., should contact Shaquille Pigatt at spigatt@chcact.org.

Upcoming Events

Chronic Pain & Addictions Project ECHO - meets every 1st & 3rd Friday of each month from 12pm-1:30pm via Zoom Video conference. This Friday, 3/6/2020, the topic will be on Medication Agreements. For any questions please contact Christina DelVecchio at cdelvecchio@chcact.org.

Domestic Violence Ambassador Project ECHO - starting 3/12/2020, meetings every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 11am-12:30pm. For any questions, please contact Shaquille Pigatt at spigatt@chcact.org.

CQC Diabetes Cohort - meetings will be every 3rd Thursday from 1pm to 2pm via Zoom Video Conference. For any questions please contact Colleen Rankine at crankine@chcact.org.

HRSA Region 1 PCMH Training with NCQA

April 15 - 16, Advanced April 17, South Portland, Maine

Maine Primary Care Association will host the HRSA Region 1 PCMH and PCMH-Advanced Trainings in April. This will be an opportunity for PCA and Health Center Staff from across New England to receive in-depth training on becoming or maintaining PCMH recognition through NCQA.

The trainers are directly from NCQA, and will review all of the elements of practice transformation through PCMH, including the new Annual Reporting requirements and calculating Return On Investment.

View event details here:
https://mepca.org/event/regional-pcmh-training-in-person/

If you are interested in attending, please contact Jennifer Behuniak, Senior Program Manager at CHCACT, 860-967-3869 or JBehuniak@chcact.org

Census 2020 Training

CHCACT is hosting a training with the US Census Bureau on Monday, March 16th at 2:00 PM at CHCACT. Please contact Sara LeMaster (slemaster@chcact.org) if you plan to attend in-person.

This meeting will also be a live webinar. To attend remotely:
https://chcact.zoom.us/j/397344965?pwd=cmU1c0IxblF5c2F6ejdZdnRwdFdGQT09
OR
Call in Number: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 397 344 965
Password: 765290

Please visit the Census website at www.2020census.gov for more information on the 2020 Census.