Opportunities to chart new directions in delivery of services to our communities are challenging health centers every day. New partners are emerging and new service delivery modes have become available. With the rise of telemedicine, expedited partner therapy, and use of email and social media in the clinical setting, health centers must be more careful then ever in controlling their risk. The most important tool is the continued protection of the FTCA program. But has the FTCA program kept pace with the evolution of health centers and health care in America? This workshop will: (1) review the underlying concepts of the immunity afforded by the FTCA program; (2) discuss problems health centers face in assuring FTCA coverage in the current environment; and (3) provide potential solutions to the problems plaguing the FTCA program.

An effective partnership between the board and CEO is essential for health center governance, and is critical for producing results for the health center and community. This session will explore practical guidance for building and maintaining this important partnership.

Students at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences conduct community-based research while at a partner health center community campus. Come to this session to show your support and honor these future community healers as they share results of their projects. Learn how you can apply their innovative approaches to engage the community in your health center.

The Daughters of Charity Health Centers and Jordan Valley Community Health Center have been working in close collaboration with UnitedHealthcare on a new initiative aimed at building the capacity of community health centers via: (a) a unique partnership between community-based organizations, CHCs, and private payors, and is part of UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to improve access to care for underserved and uninsured populations; (b) a focus on expanding the Community Health Worker (CHW) programs in both FQHCs, through a $3 million UnitedHealthcare investment, to increase the number and reach of CHWs, with intention to support them with tools, technology, and training to reach more people and achieve better results in the communities they serve; (c) partnering to model the efforts and create a mechanism to amplify CHW impact through shared learnings and developing a learning collaborative; and (d) support by the entire membership of the UnitedHealthcare National FQHC Advisory Board, an advisory body that has been working with UnitedHealthcare for the past decade and includes 17 members. Session presenters will address this new and unique initiative and its many opportunities and challenges.