December 2020
In this issue...
Community Health Grants
CEO Connection
A Message from Your Board Chair
Director of Quality & Clinical Support
Deputy Director
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
Quick Links
|
|
Community Health Grant FY 2022 RFA - NOW AVAILABLE
DEADLINE: February 15, 2021
|
|
CEO Connection
Randy Jordan, CEO
Speaking Truth About 2020
I am writing this article on the front side of Thanksgiving, knowing that it will be read by you on the backside. So, I want to open by saying thank you for your deep dedication to serving the members of your community who are without health insurance. And, thank you for the constant support and encouragement that those of us who work for NCAFCC feel from each of you. At a time of the year when blessings are being counted, you are high on our lists and we are thankful for you.
It’s also fair to acknowledge that this has not been an easy year for the world that we live in and I’ve heard many say they can’t wait for 2020 to end. Believe me, I can relate to yearning for a new start in 2021. I read something recently that sort of told the whole story, “I had my patience tested. I’m negative.” However, when I’m able to set aside the weariness of this year, I realize that many inspiring things have happened for NC’s free and charitable clinics. In the face of crisis, we discovered the amazing solution of telehealth and most of our Member clinics were able to stay open and keep serving. When fundraising events were shut down due to social distancing, our General Assembly stepped forward with an appropriation of more than $12,000,000 to keep our Members financially afloat. When the association’s schedule of in-person meetings was turned upside down, we discovered online distance learning and NCAFCC sponsored nearly 20 virtual meetings to keep us connected and informed. Yes, we are winding down one of the most unique years in my 67 years of life, but I’m convinced that we’re somehow emerging from it stronger, smarter and, maybe, better. Let’s take our hard-earned lessons from 2020 into the new year with a spirit of wonder about the new discoveries that lay ahead.
|
|
A Message from Your Board Chair
April Cook
Executive Director
Happy Holidays just doesn’t seem to be rolling off the tongue as it has in years past. With the anticipation of spending time with friends and family in question, it can be difficult to truly feel the holiday spirit. This year has been tough for so many; trying to avoid catching COVID as well as surviving the economic consequences that have resulted from this pandemic, has quite frankly been exhausting.
That being said, the services being provided by the members of this organization bring hope, health, and happiness, as you all do this work with love and compassion. There has been a great deal of sadness with several of our members these past two weeks. You all have been so responsive in letting these individuals know that they have been in your thoughts and prayers.
As this is my last newsletter article as your board chair, I would like to say that serving alongside each of you has been such an honor and a privilege. I am truly proud to be in the company of some of the greatest and most inspiring individuals, serving those most in need.
Happy Holidays to you all and hopes for a safer 2021.
April
|
|
December Update
Cindy Jones
Director of Quality & Clinical Support
2020 Annual Outcomes Survey
The 2020 Annual Outcomes Survey (Excel version) and related documents went out to the membership on November 20. This will assist and prepare members in completing the web-based version of the survey in February 2021. A web-meeting to review the survey will take place in December.
The survey contains four sections, sections A – C are expected to be completed by all members, but to be eligible for the Annual Outcomes Grant, completion of section D is required.
NCAFCC Accreditation
Congratulations go to the Community Care Clinic in Boone. They were granted NCAFCC Re-Accreditation status on November 12.
Currently, 22 members hold NCAFCC Accreditation status. Three members are in the process of re-application. Due to the pandemic, all those holding accreditation status with a 2020 expiration due date, were given a 6-month extension. The accreditation process is now performed in a digital format. View the NCAFCC Accreditation Program. This link will direct you to the Members Only page where you will need to login. Contact Mark if you need your login credentials.
NCAFCC PCMH Initiative
In 2020, three member clinics obtained the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition:
Alliance Medical Ministries, Raleigh
Cape Fear Clinic, Wilmington
Moore Free and Charitable Care Clinic, Southern Pines
Three other member clinics have expressed interest in pursuing NCQA PCMH Recognition for 2021.
Thank You
I also want to take a moment to express how grateful, blessed and honored that I feel to have worked with all of you this past year. You have been a ray of hope for many and an inspiration to all. Thank you for being there in these most difficult of times.
Merry Christmas and best wishes to you and your family,
Cindy
|
|
Ready for 2021 and The Hope it Brings
Mark Scheerer
Deputy Director
As I sit here the Sunday evening prior to Thanksgiving this weekend has made it clear that I'm tired. The year has worn me out...not physically but emotionally. Since mid-March, the country has been rocked by COVID and domestic turmoil and it's just tiring. Those of you who work in clinics must be even more tired - both physically and emotionally and I admire you tremendously. For everyone's sake, let's hope the next few months prove to be better when we really start to get a handle on COVID as the vaccines are rolled out to everyone. We all need a break, especially those of you who are on "front lines", as you provide care so desperately needed in your communities. My hope is you, your families and your staff are able to have some time to celebrate the season, to get away from all that is going on, even if the holidays are different than in previous years.
Finally, I want to thank April Cook as she finishes her term as the board chair. April has been instrumental in so many positive things that have happened within and for the Association; and her hard work along side Randy has made us stronger as a whole as you provide care in your communities.
Regionalization Update
Regions 3 and 5 have each held their first meeting with their second meetings scheduled this month. Both regions had interesting and fruitful discussions as they spent much of the time getting to know each other and asking questions. The rest of the regions will roll out in January so be on the lookout for meeting invitations coming soon.
A couple links you may find interesting.
Evaluating Health Center Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Zoom meeting
Presented by Americares
December 10
1 to 2:00 p.m.
This training will guide participants through the process of evaluating their health center’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the training, participants will receive an electronic After-Action Report/Improvement Plan Template custom designed for health centers.
Topics include:
- Review of the incident evaluation process
- How to conduct a debriefing
- Overview of the After-Action Report template
- How to conduct an After-Action Conference
- Conducting a COVID-19 Mid-Response Evaluation
|
|
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
Community Health Grant FY 2022 RFA - NOW AVAILABLE
DEADLINE: February 15, 2021
|
|
09xxRegion 5 meeting / 10 to 12:00 p.m.
10xxEvaluating Health Center Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic - Zoom meeting
14xx2020 Annual Outcomes Survey Review / 12:00 p.m. / Zoom link
16xxRegion 3 meeting / 10 to 2:00 p.m.
|
|
Board of Directors
Board Chair
April Cook, MBA
Lake Norman Community Health Clinic
Vice Chair
Tony Price
Moore Free and Charitable Clinic
Treasurer
John Price, MPA
ORHCC – Retired
Secretary
Tracy Salisbury
Open Door Clinic of Alamance County
Sherri Fisher
The Good Samaritan Clinic of Morganton
|
|
Andy Kurtzman, MHCA
Scotland Community Health Clinic
Sissy Lee-Elmore, MBA, MPA
WATCH Healthcare Program
Past Chair
Janet Jarrett
Albemarle Hospital Foundation Community Care Clinic
Michael Lischke, EdD, MPH
Northwest AHEC
WFU School of Medicine
John Mills, CPC
ECHO
Krista Woolly, MS
Community Care Clinic of Rowan County
|
The first four of our Healthy Neighbors podcasts are online on our website. In the first series, Randy Jordan and Dr. Andy Barbash discuss telemedicine and how NCAFCC clinics are adopting this model of care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
COVID-19 Crisis Response Webinars
Sponsored by the NC Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics.
-
Messaging & Communications – Developing Your Clinic’s COVID-19 Narrative | Watch
-
Financial Resources – Building Your Clinic’s Value Proposition | Watch
-
Human Resources – Sustaining Your Clinic Team | Watch
-
Strategic Opportunities – Leveraging the Crisis for Change | Watch
-
NCAFCC COVID-19 Workbook by Next Stage | View PDF
|
|
Staff
CEO
ext. 104
Deputy Director
ext. 101
|
|
Director of Quality & Clinical Support
ext. 103
COVID-19 Grant Manager
ext. 105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|