|
HIPMC Monthly News & Updates | |
| |
HIPMC Partner welcome back! | Thank you to those who attended the June Quarterly Partner Meeting! | |  |
Recap: June Quarterly Partner Meeting | Last Call for Vendors! WIC Spooktacular Fall Festival 2026 | Updates to the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program Timeline | Brain Health Matters: Recognizing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Over $700 Million in New Funding to Address Mental Health, Addiction, and Homelessness | AZ Blue Health Choice Helps People Get Home Safely | | | |
Recap: June Quarterly Partner Meeting | |
Maricopa County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Update
Presented by Yoselyne Betancourt, Community Health Improvement Planning Specialist, Maricopa County Department of Public Health
Since the launch of the 2024-2026 CHIP, more than 250 partners have been advancing shared priorities by strengthening cross-sector collaboration, expanding engagement, and improving information sharing.
As the current CHIP cycle approaches its conclusion at the end of 2026, planning is already underway for the next cycle. Partners can expect to participate in a new round of community health priority setting in 2027, helping shape the future of community health improvement efforts across Maricopa County.
| | |
Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Survey Update
Presented by Anson Zhu, Community Health Assessment Coordinator, Maricopa County Department of Public Health
The 2026 CHNA Survey officially closed on May 3rd. Through a countywide effort, 20 community partners hosted 315 survey collection events to help ensure that diverse voices and experiences were represented. Maricopa County Department of Public Health staff attended 155 community events.
Together, these efforts resulted in approximately 18,000 survey responses, providing valuable insight into the health priorities, strengths, and challenges facing residents across Maricopa County.
With survey collection complete, the CHNA process now moves into Focus Groups and Key Informant Interviews to further explore community experiences and help inform future community health planning efforts. Click to learn more about the framework used to drive the CHNA process.
| | |
Swimming Upstream: Focusing on Community Health Needs in a Changing Federal Ecosystem
Presented by Zaida Dedolph Piecoro, State Health Strategist, Arizona Office of the Governor Katie Hobb
| |
State Health Strategist Zaida Dedolph Piecoro discussed how policy change occurs through legislation, budgeting, and regulation at all levels of government, emphasizing that regulatory processes often create opportunities for community input. Using a house-building metaphor, she described federal laws as the blueprint, state laws as the foundation, and regulations as the finishing touches tailored to community needs. She also outlined how policy change is driven by public demand, policymaker action, and shifts in systems and culture, while highlighting opportunities for advocacy throughout the policy development process.
Attendees received updates on upcoming federal policy changes affecting Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and the Affordable Care Act. Topics included Medicaid eligibility requirements, changes to provider funding, SNAP policy updates, Affordable Care Act re-enrollment requirements, and the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program, which will award Arizona $167 million over 10 years. Additional updates covered changes to childhood vaccination policy and other emerging health policy issues.
| The session concluded with practical advocacy strategies, encouraging participants to engage with existing coalitions, clearly define policy goals, communicate in accessible language, and build collaborative partnerships to advance healthier communities. | | |
CommunityCares in Action: Best Practices & Workflow Optimization
Presented by Edward Limon, SDOH Community Programs Manager at Contexture, Notiosha DAddabbo, Founder of Notiosha Ministries, and Artemisa Martinez, Executive Director at Valley of the Sun YMCA
| |
CommunityCares provided an overview of its closed-loop referral platform and invited two partners to share their experience. Attendees heard directly from Notiosha Ministries and Valley of the Sun YMCA, two local organizations currently utilizing CommunityCares. Both shared their implementation experiences, workflows, successes, and lessons learned. Their presentations offered valuable insight into how the platform can support service coordination, improve resource navigation, and strengthen connections between organizations serving the community.
The CHIP goal of onboarding three new organizations within each priority area remains an important strategy for building a more connected network of care across Maricopa County. Increasing participation helps strengthen referral pathways, reduce barriers to accessing services, and improve coordination among organizations working to address community needs.
Partners interested in learning more about the platform are encouraged to register for an upcoming CommunityCares information session and explore opportunities to join this growing network.
| | | |
Synapse In-Person Meeting
Just outside the main session, the Synapse Coalition hosted its first in-person gathering of 2026. During their meeting, partners were recognized for their work in promoting the CHNA Survey. They then presented their hospital's/healthcare facility's unique CHNA priorities and implementation plans as they officially wrap up their 2023-2026 CHNA cycles.
| | | |
Last Call for Vendors! WIC Spooktacular Fall Festival 2026
Event details:
Saturday, September 26th, 9 AM - 1 PM
Arizona State University - West Campus
4701 W Thunderbird Rd, Glendale, AZ, 85306
The Maricopa County WIC program, in partnership with Arizona State University, announces its 8th biannual community event, The Spooktacular Fall Festival.
The purpose of these events is to connect Maricopa County residents with nutrition education, physical activities, and community resources in an environment that promotes quality family-time.
They are seeking community-based organizations that serve Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Phoenix, and all other parts of Maricopa County to table at the event. This will be their last call for vendors! The vendor application closes Friday, July 24th.
Questions? Email anthony.kern@maricopa.gov
| | |
Updates to the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program Timeline
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has refined the program timeline for the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program, announcing an updated schedule for the release of funding opportunities and the expected start of grant awards. Arizona is investing nearly $167 million in federal funding to transform healthcare in rural communities across the state to expand access, train more providers, and strengthen health systems.
Updated schedule:
- Funding opportunities will be released beginning in June 2026 and continue through the fall
- Grant awards will begin in June 2026 and continue on a rolling basis in accordance with State of Arizona procurement requirements
- All Budget Year 1 funding will be obligated by October 30, 2026, with awarded funds expended by September 30, 2027
- Program implementation, performance monitoring, and scaling activities will continue through 2030
Interested applicants are encouraged to continue preparing for future funding opportunities and to watch for additional program announcements in the coming months.
| | |
Brain Health Matters: Recognizing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Every June, communities across the country recognize Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, promote brain health, and support the millions affected by these conditions.
As evidenced in the latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, dementia is a growing public health challenge, affecting more than 55 million people worldwide, including over 7 million Americans. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, remains a leading cause of disability and death among older adults.
Research shows that many factors that support heart health – such as managing blood pressure, diabetes, weight, physical activity, and sleep – also support brain health. Because many of these risk factors are modifiable, individuals can take steps to help reduce their risk of cognitive decline and support lifelong brain health.
Brain health matters at every age. Consider these evidence-based strategies to help reduce risk:
- Protect the head from injury
- Prioritize quality sleep
- Stay physically active
- Follow a heart-healthy eating pattern
As the saying goes, “What’s good for the heart is good for the brain.”
Interested in learning more about the Maricopa County Department of Public Health's work to promote brain health, support caregivers, or explore community partnership opportunities? Contact the Maricopa County Department of Public Health BOLD team at MCDPHBOLD@maricopa.gov.
| | |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Over $700 Million in New Funding to Address Mental Health, Addiction, and Homelessness
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has posted new funding opportunities addressing mental health, addiction, and homelessness.
Funding opportunities include:
- $96 million for Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-Based Treatment and Support (STREETS) Program, which will award eight communities up to $3 million a year
- $223.1 million for comprehensive community-based behavioral health care
- $238.6 million for the 988 & Suicide Crisis Lifeline
- $80 Million for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
- Over $70 Million for Mental Health Services and Supports
| | | |
Do our emails show up in your junk folder?
Add hipmc@maricopa.gov as a contact or to your safe sender list to ensure our emails end up in your inbox. If you find our emails in your junk folder, be sure to mark it as "Not junk" and move it to your inbox.
| | | | |
