Ohio Association of Community Health Centers Community Health Centers

The association provides services to existing and potential Health Centers including; technical assistance to support the establishment of new federally qualified Health Centers and look-alikes and technical assistance and support for the expansion of existing federally qualified Health Centers. The association updates the statewide strategic plan, the managed growth and implementation plan, and other state and federal reports, as required. The association educates and advocates for legislation and policy that affects Community Health Centers and their mission including; coordinating a state-level legislative forum on an annual basis, develop and strengthen the association's grassroots advocacy network, develop and disseminate materials in an effort to advance the association's legislative agenda, review and research public policy issues at the state level to predict the potential impact on Ohio's fqhcs and recommend a course of action to the oachc board as appropriate, serve as a general policy communications liaison to association advocacy contractors, the state legislature and other state and local agencies, coordinate visits with Health center staff and state legislators, and participating in state level coalitions as necessary to accomplish association objectives.the association is responsible for facilitating increased opportunities for clinician networking, training and involvement in policy development; advocating for quality Health care for all ohioans; and, all designated activities in support of the phs grant objectives including; coordinating development of training and t/a resources to support chc clinical development objectives, research and inform clinicians of training opportunities, conducting ongoing assessments of t/a needs and respond to member needs, and assisting Health Centers with meeting pcer and jcaho requirements.

The association coordinates the early childhood oral Health (ecoh) program, which is a quality improvement initiative focused on fqhc and fqhcla networks with sites located within the anthem foundation of Ohio's (afo) 36 county service area. The goals of the program include: the establishment of dental homes and regular dental care for children by 1 year of age, the establishment of oral Health screenings, caries risk assessments, fluoride varnish applications and caregiver/guardian education/anticipatory guidance as components of the expected standard of care provided during routine well-child and minor illness primary care visits within participating Community Health Centers. The intent is to spread the initiative to all Ohio Health Centers, to increase in the number of general dentists providing care to pediatric patients, and a significant reduction in the incidence of oral Health problems among children under 36 months of age over the course of the initiative.

The association uses web and non-web-based recruitment tools to assist with filling Health center staffing vacancies. Visiting universities to talk about fqhcs and participate in job fairs. Assisting Health Centers in developing system-wide recruitment plans. Working with clinical and non-clinical staff to develop a chc orientation package. Partnering with ahec and others to provide pertinent training sessions. Compile and distribute retention best practices. Assist with developing succession plans and an exit interview process. Direct and/or co-coordinate the development of training programs and conferences for member Health Centers by working with the office manager and oachc program staff. Coordinate and support development of topics and curriculum for training sessions, seminars and conferences. Collaborate with primary care associations in other states to develop and implement regional and/or national training sessions/seminars as necessary. Develop and implement a curriculum for Health center boards to pursue learning and continuing education including implementation of Health center board certificate program (governance learning institute. Develop governance-related training sessions and tracks at the oachc annual conference. Create and offer workshops as needed for individual Health center boards regarding general roles and responsibilities, elements of an fqhc, Health care and non-profit trends, etc. Provide information and resources to board members and ceos/eds regarding how to improve governance, contemporary ideas for Health center/non-profit boards, etc