Is the CHC Program Right for Your Community?

Step 4: Facilitate a Readiness Assessment

Before an organization can submit a grant application for community health center (CHC) funding, it has to be prepared to be fully operational within 90-120 days of grant award.  Essentially, this means staff have to be hired, the facility ready and equipped for operation, the organizational structure in place, the governing board identified and trained, the clinical service delivery model designed, the fee and billing structure approved, policies and procedures established, and various other logisitics need to be in place. 

A readiness assessment should be conducted to determine if the site is prepared to initiate a comprehensive program which complies with federal government requirements.

The readiness assessment should consider, but not be limited to the following elements:

Shortage designations Mission statement Cultural competency and diversity issues Needs assessment Market knowledge Long term, business and capital planning Organizational health care plan and business plan Quality improvement plan Collaboration and partnerships Relationships with, and support from, other community health centers Board composition Board structure

Organizational structure Management team Risk management Facility planning Personnel Fees and billing Sliding fee discount program Financial management Management information systems and electronic health records Required services Other services After hours coverage and continuity of care Specialty referrals

 

 

Step 1:
Community Involvement

Step 2:
Secure Designations

Step 3:
Conduct Needs Assessment

Step 4:
Facilitate Readiness Assessment

Step 5:
Develop Grant Application