Analytics and Innovations Program

What We Do

The Analytics and Innovations (AI) Team at the Office of Rural Health (ORH) strives to assist ORH programs and grantees with using data and leveraging technologies in ways that help improve monitoring, evaluation efforts, and innovative strategies.  In addition, the AI team

  • provides technical assistance for communities and Safety Net providers seeking to improve access and quality of care for vulnerable populations through integrated systems of care and innovative and strategic planning.
  • leverages resources and funding through State, federal agencies, and private foundations to support community health initiatives and demonstration projects that benefit the uninsured, Medicaid recipients, and other vulnerable populations. 
  • works with federal, state and local entities to identify shortage areas of primary care, dental or behavioral health care providers. These areas are designated as health professional shortage areas (HPSA) according to federal guidelines, making them eligible to qualify for federal funding and services.

Analytics

Health Statistics and Data

Behavior Health

Talking Points and Resources for Addressing Substance Use Disorder (March 24, 2021)
 

Community Health Worker

Community Health Worker Program Profile
Community Health Worker Page
Community Health Worker Initiative

Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been recognized for their ability to help individuals and communities find resources to improve their health. The North Carolina Community Health Worker Program has been established at the Office of Rural Health to continue the work of North Carolina Community Health Worker Initiative which began in 2014 through the Division of Public Health. The stakeholders of the initiative created a final report with recommendations to create a sustainable infrastructure for Community Health Workers (CHWs) that includes specific roles, core competencies and standardized training.

The Office of Rural Health continues this effort by working with key stakeholders to implement the recommendations that include:

  • Piloting innovative models to contribute to the evidence base and impact on population health in rural and other areas
  • Developing protocols within care teams that recognize the contribution of CHWs
  • Consulting and training for community based organizations, healthcare settings and other agencies working with CHWs
  • Identifying necessary tools needed for success
  • Supporting standardized Core Competency Training
  • Supporting the establishment of NC CHW Certification and Accreditation Board
  • Supporting and recognizing a NC CHW Network

Community Health Workers in North Carolina: Creating an Infrastructure for Sustainability
Community Health Workers in North Carolina: Creating an Infrastructure for Sustainability (Spanish)

Health Professional Shortage Areas

HPSA Program Profile
HPSA Primary Care Map with Scores as of 1/2/2020
HPSA Mental Health Map with Scores as of 1/2/2020
HPSA Dental Health Map with Scores as of 1/2/2020

2019 Annual Governor’s Report Summary

  • HRSA implemented the National Shortage Designation Update of Automatically-Designated HPSA (autohpsas) in the Fall of 2019.  Some of these facilities have not been reviewed since their original designation in 2002. Overall, AutoHPSAs were updated for 77 organizations representing 302 delivery sites in North Carolina.  Of these HPSA reviews, 15 (19.5%)  resulted in a decrease in score for primary care, two (2.6%) had a decrease in dental HPSA scores, and 11(14.3%) had a decrease in mental health scores. The net result is 12.1 % of the reviews resulted in lower scores and 87.9 % of the scores were either higher, the same, or were new scores without a previous review.
  • There were 10 new Population and Geographic HPSAs designated; five primary care, one dental, and four mental health. In addition, four primary care, 38 dental, and 20 mental health HPSAs were updated.
  • The report includes background, summary, data tables reflecting changes, current designation maps, and maps showing the relative score increases or decreases for population and geographic HPSAs

Annual Governor’s Report Document for 2019: Link

Additional Resources

Care Share Health Alliance
Community Care of North Carolina
Fostering Health NC
NC Agromedicine Institute
NC Area Health Education Centers
NC Community Health Center Association
NC Get Covered
NC Pediatric Society
NC Public Health Association
NC Rural Economic Development Center
Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina
The Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation

Contact

North Carolina ORH Analytics
Office of Rural Health
2009 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

John Resendes
Analytics and Innovations Program Manager
919.527.6460
John.Resendes@dhhs.nc.gov

Elizabeth Frederickson
Data Analyst
919.527.6485
Elizabeth.Frederickson@dhhs.nc.gov

Mark Snuggs
PCO Director and Shortage Designation Specialist
919.527.6465
Mark.Snuggs@dhhs.nc.gov

Shauna Ortiz
Shortage Designation Specialist
919.527.6472
Shauna.Ortiz@dhhs.nc.gov

Glenn Field
Primary Care Systems Associate
919.527.6458
Glenn.Field@dhhs.nc.gov

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