CEO Update: Fall is Here!
I do love the fall and it seems like we might actually have a fall season this year. I’m thankful for the recent snow that helped a bit with the fires and brought some more normal temperatures. September also marks back to school, either in person, virtual or a combination of both. Education and engagement are on our minds in addition to healthcare.
CRHC recently partnered with the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance to submit a letter to the Office of Broadband to discuss broadband issues and expanding access in rural Colorado. We recognize and are grateful for the latest action taken by the state, including the partnership with T-Mobile to offer WiFi hotspots and data to thousands of households, and the Colorado Department of Education pledge of $2 million to support school districts in helping get their student online, but there is still more work to be accomplished.
CRHC also recently received funding from the FCC to assist a few small independent rural clinics in starting or improving their telehealth program. Small, rural clinics despite their value, are often left out of philanthropy efforts, especially those that are “for profit”. This year, The Colorado Health Foundation has specifically called out rural clinics to participate in their Advancing Team Based Care Grant. If your rural clinic is participating in any type of integrated care and is interested in improving access further through cost efficient team based care methodology, please consider applying for this opportunity. CRHC staff are here to support you through it. Visit https://coruralhealth.org/clinic-support-services or contact Sara Leahy or Natalie Vogan for more details. Contact us now as the deadline to apply is October 15th, 2020!
You may have heard that our Annual Rural Health Conference this year is virtual and we are taking the opportunity to add extra sessions so you can get the most out of the conference. One advantage of a virtual conference is the cost is lower and you don’t have to drive anywhere. One of the things we love the best is seeing you all in person, but we’ve taken the opportunity to build in connection points virtually. You are still receiving the same quality presentation, in fact you are getting more and these presentations will be available to you for the next six months. If you haven’t had an opportunity to review the agenda and sign up you can do that here.
We know hospitals and clinics across the rural parts of our state often get overlooked by those who do not live, work, or play in our rural communities. Time and again, state and federal law makers fail to recognize the essential work done by you, our members, across the rural landscapes of Colorado. But the Colorado Rural Health Center exists to help make sure you have what you need to continue to serve your communities now, more than ever. We invest in you as our first priority.
Each year, when the calendar turns to September and the days grow shorter, we ask you to invest in our work too. Starting this week, our members will begin receiving their annual membership renewal letters. As a member-based association and a nonprofit, CRHC depends on committed partnerships and investments from our members. We ask for your support in order to continue our work to ensure that all rural Coloradans have access to comprehensive, affordable, high quality healthcare.
We keep our membership rates modest and based on the number of full times employees in your organization. As a CRHC member, you have access to FREE and discounted (up to 50%) services over non-member prices. Please renew your membership at coruralhealth.org/renew-or-join.
We are grateful for you and what you do in these trying times.
