Albuquerque, New Mexico - The Write Choice Network is proud to have partnered with the New Mexico Primary Care association located in Albuquerque, NM to secure approximately $2.1 million for implementation of electronic health records (EHR) and other information technology (HIT) systems at eleven Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of New Mexico. This is an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand health care services to low-income and uninsured individuals.

Congratulations to the New Mexico Primary Care Association and all the Federally Qualified Health Centers across the nation who were recently awarded HHS grants! We know these additional funds will undoubtedly improve and modernize health information technology systems, in-turn enhancing the quality of care and efficiency of health care centers.
The WCNetwork is honored to work with such well-deserving Community Health Centers across the country and we look forward to a continued, successful partnership to improve access to high quality, affordable health care. 

The Write Choice Network Team

The healthcare reform bill signed into law by President Obama on March 23rd includes $700 million for community health centers in FY 2011 and $6.3 billion more over the next four years. The reconciliation bill being debated by the Senate would raise those numbers to $1 billion in FY 2011 and $8.5 billion over the following four years.
“We are told that the Health Resources and Services Administration, the HHS agency that administers the community health centers program, plans to invite applications for operational funding shortly after Oct. 1,” says Dan Hawkins, NACHC senior vice president.
“Both existing health centers and organizations that meet federal requirements but have not previously been funded will be eligible to apply. The funding will be to reach out and serve individuals not currently served by existing health centers today,” Hawkins says. The funding will cover the operational costs of running a health center, hiring staff, leasing facilities and providing care. “None of this funding can be used to construct, renovate or expand facilities.”
However, the reform law makes a separate $1.5 billion available to health centers over the five-year period beginning Oct. 1 for facility costs. “HRSA has not said how or when it will be made available,” Hawkins says, “but I feel confident that they will invite competitive applications for the funding and it will go only to health centers that are already funded under the community health center program.”
Hawkins explains how an increase in the number of insured individuals under healthcare reform will affect services provided by health centers. “Health centers have always been there to serve people who are under-insured or uninsured, and their principal purpose is to serve people who live in so-called medically underserved areas—areas characterized by high poverty, higher rates of hard-to-serve populations and by too few doctors,” he says.
“Even after many of these people gain coverage, there will not be enough providers in these areas to serve them all. Health centers will play an even more crucial role turning the promise of coverage into the reality of actual preventive and primary medical, dental and mental health care,” he says.
“In this way,” Hawkins adds, “health centers perfectly complement the expansion of coverage for the very areas that most need it, and that need will continue and even accelerate following the extension of coverage to the 32 million Americans who will benefit from the new health reform law.”
For more Information: National Assn. of Community Health Centers, 7200 Wisconsin Ave, Ste. 210, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone 301/347-0400; website www.nachc.com

Don’t miss this great opportunity! The Regional Institute Health & Environmental Leadership is now taking applications for the 2010-2011 class. The Advanced Leadership Training Program is delivered to approximately 45 health and environment professionals in the Rocky Mountain region annually. The program is designed to enhance the leadership skills of the individual participants, and to create an interdisciplinary network of leaders who are dedicated to the health and the environment of our region. For more information and to register, contact RIHEL at RIHEL Advanced Leadership Training Program
Completed applications must be submitted by April 30, 2010.

The new 2010 Family Voices calendar is now available! Order yours today by calling Adelita Martinez (toll-free) at 1-888-835-5669, ext. 4. Each calendar is only $10.00 (includes tax and shipping).

Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities.Through their national network, they provide families tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships among professionals and families, and serve as a trusted resource on health care.
For more information about Family Voices go to:Family Voices

Development Officer Position at the Museum of New Mexico Foundation

Major gift fundraising is the primary focus of the position, but support for special fundraising events is also required. As part of the coordinated efforts of the development department, the Development Officer helps to: identify and research prospects; cultivate, solicit, and steward donors; and create fundraising strategies that support the annual fundraising plans, projects and goals of the museums. Minimum five years experience with successful arts/nonprofit fundraising.
For more information: http://www.museumfoundation.org/developmentofficer.

Kathryn Wroth
Director of Development
Museum of New Mexico Foundation
PO Box 2065
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2065
505.982.6366 ext. 102

Monica Niess, a principal consultant of The Write Choice Network, will be detailing a journey to the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, Ecuador, in November through a blog. To follow this journey, go to http://www.journeytoecuador.blogspot.com.

Download training materials for July 29 Training - The Future of Philanthropy

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: What’s In It For You? Learn about funding opportunities.