Colorado State Innovation Model (SIM)
Monthly Newsletter
November, 2015
In This Issue
New eHealth Office Commission
Bi-Directional Integrated Health Home Sites
SIM LPHA Funding Opportunity
Colorado Receives $11 Million for TCPI
In the News
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Applications Being Accepted for New eHealth Office Commission

DENVER - Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 - Gov. John Hickenlooper today called for applications to serve on the eHealth Commission, a newly formed group that will provide advice and guidance to Office of eHealth.
 
The eHealth Innovation Office will promote and advance the secure, efficient, and effective use of health information, and help to inform future health information technology initiatives. The eHealth Commission will provide advice and guidance to the Office of eHealth Innovation. Hickenlooper created the Office of eHealth Innovation and eHealth Commission following extensive discussions with stakeholders in the health information technology community.
 
"Colorado is uniquely positioned to achieve significant advances in health information technology and support transformational health programs throughout the state," the order stated. "Already, Colorado has successfully connected dozens of hospitals, thousands of providers and millions of patients, allowing them to exchange patient information, coordinate care, and improve patient health."
 
The eHealth Commission will consist of up to 15 members appointed by the governor. The Individuals with experience and knowledge in primary health and behavioral health care delivery, health insurance, non-profit health IT-related community organizing, interoperability and data exchange, consumer engagement in health care and health care quality measures are encouraged to apply. Applications for the eHealth Commission are being accepted by the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions at:  https://www.tfaforms.com/290254
 
The eHealth Innovation Office is funded through existing federal grants and existing state health program funding previously designated for health information technology.
The full Executive Order can be found using the link below:

 
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Colorado SIM Office Announces Four Bi-Directional Integrated Health Home Sites

In partnership with the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) the Colorado SIM office is pleased to announce the four sites selected for the Bi-Directional Integration Demonstration and Practice-Based Research Pilot Program within the larger Colorado SIM initiative. The sites are listed below (in alphabetical order):
  • Community Reach Center, based in Commerce City
  • Jefferson Center for Mental Health, based in Lakewood
  • Mental Health Partners, based in Boulder
  • Southeast Health Group, based in La Junta
During the next four years, these sites will pilot models of bi-directional integrated care and practice-based research. Bi-directional integration refers to the integration of primary care and prevention services into a community behavioral health setting.  This was a highly competitive application process that clearly demonstrated the strength, innovation, and dedication of Colorado's behavioral health network.

SIM LPHA Funding Opportunity
 
Local public health agencies in Colorado that have prioritized mental health, substance abuse and/or obesity in the community needs assessment or the community health improvement plan are eligible to apply for a new funding opportunity. Those LPHAs who have not selected these priorities are strongly encouraged to partner as a regional applicant with an LPHA that identified one or all of these as a priority. CDPHE's Prevention Services Division is soliciting responses for the State Innovation Model Local Public Health Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention of Behavioral Health Disorders Funding Opportunity (SIM LPHA).
 
The SIM LPHA funding opportunity seeks to improve the behavioral health status of Colorado's population in part by increasing outreach, engagement and community development about behavioral health disorders and/or the associated stigma of behavioral health issues and help-seeking attitudes and behavior; and through maximizing access to behavioral health preventive services through assessment, partnerships, systems building and community-clinical linkages. This funding opportunity is a collaboration between the Violence and Injury Prevention-Mental Health Promotion Branch and the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch within the Prevention Services Division at CDPHE.
 
The two focus areas for funding of the SIM LPHA that applicants must address are:
  1. Behavioral health promotion, outreach and education, and/or stigma reduction focused on evidence-based or research informed behavioral health, wellness and prevention strategies:

  2. Coordination of systems that improve integration of behavioral health services and primary care, including an assessment of community-based resources and gaps in year one of the grant, accompanied by targeted and sustainable health systems interventions that improve screening, referral and follow up rates of US Preventive Services Task Force A and B Recommendations in years two and three of the grant. 
For more information please visit: 
 
Please send any questions and submissions to:  [email protected] 
Colorado Receives $11 Million Federal Grant for Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative
 
Consumers expect a health care system that delivers the right care, at the right time, and at a cost that is reasonable and easy to understand. Such a system will result in fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and re-admissions, fewer healthcare-associated infections, and reduced patient harm, and will show continuous improvement in quality outcomes and cost efficiency. Patients will be able to rely on the quality of care they receive from their health care team, including at the doctor's office.
 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded $685 million to 39 national and regional collaborative healthcare transformation networks and supporting organizations to provide technical assistance support that will help equip more than 140,000 clinicians with the tools and support needed to improve quality of care, increase patients' access to information, and spend dollars more wisely. The Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI) is one of the largest federal investments uniquely designed to support clinician practices through nationwide, collaborative, and peer-based learning networks that facilitate practice transformation. For more information on TCPI please visit the link below: 


Additional Resources:
In the News

Onpoint Health Data
 
The Commonwealth Fund
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