In this issue

• Healthier Washington is just getting started
• Ten rural hospitals receive mini-grants to support shift to integrated care
• HealthierHere to participate in national data program
• Opioid treatment gets a boost in SW Washington
• OCH's leader accepts Health Innovator of the Year award
• HIT improving its website

Connections

Webinars and events

• The Golden Thread webinar
  February 28
  8:30 to 10am
  Register for this webinar.

• Transyouth Care Symposium
  March 1-2 at Everett Community College
  8:30am to 5pm
  Register for this event.

• Building Quality Improvement Capacity in Primary Care
  March 6 in Seattle
  8:30am to 4:30pm
  Questions?
  Information and registration

• Tribal Behavioral Health Conference & Opioid Symposium
  April 3-4 at Tulalip Resort
  Information and registration

• Healthier Washington Quarterly Webinar series:
  Tribal Health Systems and Medicaid Transformation
  May 9 from noon to 1pm
  Register for this webinar

• Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience Community of Practice
  May 15 in Everett 
  8:30am to 3pm
  Questions?

HCA Connect 
Stories of health care transformation in Washington State

Sign up for the Foundational Community Supports newsetter.

Healthier Washington is just getting started

January 31 marked the end of the State Innovation Models (SIM) grant. SIM created the foundation for Healthier Washington, a multi-agency, multi-sector movement to transform the health and wellness system in Washington State. It changed the way we work together, use state purchasing power, and build infrastructure. It boosted Washington’s commitment to create stronger communities and healthier people.

Although the grant is ending, Healthier Washington continues.

Read the full story. 

Ten rural hospitals receive mini-grants to support shift to integrated care

In January, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA), in partnership with the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA), awarded $10,000 mini-grants to each of 10 rural hospitals:

• Ferry County Public Hospital District
• Island Hospital
• Jefferson Healthcare
• Kittitas Valley Healthcare
• Klickitat Valley Health
• Lake Chelan Community Hospital and Clinics
• Newport Hospital and Health Services
• Ocean Beach Hospital and Health Services
• Skyline Hospital
• Summit Pacific Medical Center

Read the full story.

HealthierHere to participate in national data program

HealthierHere was chosen to participate in the "Data Across Sectors for Health Mentor Program."

The program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, advances the sharing and use of multi-sector data to improve community health. 

Read the full story.

Opioid treatment gets a boost in SW Washington

SWACH, the Accountable Community of Health in Southwest Washington, teamed up with regional partners to help secure more than $800,000 in grant funding for Opioid Treatment Networks.

Read the full story.

OCH's leader accepts Health Innovator of the Year award

Elya Prystowsky (middle) accepts the Health Innovator of the Year Award

Last December, Olympic Community of Health (OCH) Executive Director, Dr. Elya Prystowsky, won the Health Innovator of the Year Award for Collaboration.

Health Innovation NW and Cambria Grove sponsor this award. Health Innovation NW is a grassroots organization that creates deeper connections within the Seattle-area health innovation community. Cambria Grove is a shared workspace in Seattle designed to encourage health care innovation.

Congratulations, Elya!

HIT improving its website

HCA's Health Information Technology (HIT) team is working on website improvements to help people find and use content more easily. 

The main HIT page location will stay the same. We will keep you updated on website changes as they occur.

Please contact us at healthit@hca.wa.gov if you have questions.