| Bi-State Primary Care Association is working toward 100% access to health care and no health disparities in Vermont and New Hampshire. The role of community development specialists in both states is to serve as catalysts for achieving this goal through state level policy initiatives as well as through community-level activities.
Examples of how Bi-State Primary Care Association is working with local communities to improve access fall into the following areas:
Educate and Mobilize the Public
- Establish partnerships with local coalitions and community leaders;
- Conduct community outreach through media and other venues; and
- Develop leadership potential.
Work with Community in Early Stages of Community Change
- Assess community assets and needs;
- Facilitate strategic planning with communities;
- Develop local leadership around health access; and
- Build capacity and create inventories of local skills and resources.
Create New Access Points
- Work with communities to develop primary care sites including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC);
- Provide technical assistance to access other necessary resources;
- Work with communities to establish new, and support existing, school-based health service initiatives.
Strengthen the Safety Net
- Develop initiatives to sustain and strengthen safety net providers and encourage joint planning and information-sharing; and
- Work with communities to create integrated delivery systems through coordination and collaboration.
Increase Types of Services Available in Communities
Work with communities to:
- Expand availability of services, particularly in the areas of dental and behavioral health where currently there are widespread problems with access; and
- Improve provider specialty referral networks.
For more information contact Vanessa Santarelli (NH) or Kate Simmons (VT) .
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