May 2024 CEO Update

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as we see the month end, you don’t need a reminder that the need to transform our care and service systems is not limited to any one month – it is ongoing. Kevin Riley, pastor of Mount Baker Presbyterian Church (and a North Sound ACH Board member) offered us words from his heart, allowed us to post it on our site, and share them with you. Kevin, thank you for trusting us with your words and story. You can read Kevin’s words here. 

Review Committee Decisions

In 2023 we beta-tested an inaugural partner-based Review Committee. An amazing group came together to review and make decisions about funding 20 collaborative proposals from other partners, awarding close to $4 million last year. Our goal was to create a space where partners could decide where the next dollars should be invested. We talk about sharing power, but could we really do it? You can hear/watch reflections from last year’s committee link. 

It was a lot of work, and we learned so much from the participants that jumped from a beta version to Committee 1.0 in the fall. Last year’s Review Committee helped select the V1.0 Committee members, and that group just finalized their decisions for 2024. The challenge for them – this year there were close to 60 proposals, and $3.5 million to distribute – in other words, harder decisions to make.  We’re working on finalizing contracts right now, and as soon as we’re done we’ll announce them out. The committee chose projects that deepen impact on equitable access to care and services, work with community organizations that have historically been marginalized, and focus on the next generation. We know you’ll be as excited as we are! 

From Committee members we heard:

“It is such a privilege to be surrounded by the very best humans, and to be a key player in facilitating the magic that happens when projects slowly take shape and then life.  It’s not simply standing by and nodding in approval, rather it is taking active steps – being an active participant in real change.  This is the dream of anyone who is called to do this type of progressive work.”

“There are so many communities that need help and being a part of the ACH review committee has helped me to fill that gap and learn more about the communities in which we live and serve.”

“I felt my eyes and ears being opened to the possibilities and initiatives that might still be possible when service organizations work together.” 

Lots of gratitude to all of the ACH team members who helped the Review Committee all along the way!

Community Hub Expansion

Straight ahead on our horizon is an expansion of the North Sound Community Hub. We’ll be hosting an information session about the Hub expansion on July 11, from 1-2:30 p.m. – click here to register and add to your calendar! Also, a section of our August convening will be focused on the Hub. We currently have nine partner organizations in the Hub, and we have room to triple that or even more. If you enter in agreement with us, it provides a revenue stream to support community based workers, such as community health workers, promotoras and others who help folks navigate the complexities of clinical and community services.

Imagine what it would be like to have a dedicated revenue stream for community based care coordinators, and to grow the capacity of that workforce. That is the opportunity that the new Medicaid Waiver bring our way. The Community Hub can provide the connective tissue, but we don’t have a hub without community partners having care coordinators on the ground in community. We’re excited to be building that capacity with you! Please join us on July 11 to learn more!

Summer temperatures feel so close, with more daylight and sunshine teasing us that it’s coming. We’re looking forward to seeing you out and about, and definitely in August.