NACHC’s Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) Program Presented by the NACHC Advocacy Team March 23, 2016

What is the ACE Program? How can my Health Center achieve advocacy excellence? The checklist & supporting materials Hear from one of our first ACEs! Questions Today’s agenda

Incorporating advocacy as an element of operational excellence Establishes a standardized framework for building a solid advocacy foundation Allows Health Centers to demonstrate commitment to advocacy as an organizational priority Tiered to encourage participation and reward improvement and increased engagement (bronze, silver, gold) NACHC partners with PCAs to support ACEs What is the ACE Program?

Demonstrate ongoing commitment to advocacy through the creation of advocacy infrastructure Consistent engagement in advocacy via: Response to calls to action Advocacy recruitment Advocacy training and education Social media presence Involvement with your state’s PCA Work with NACHC advocacy staff to track participation and engagement How can my CHC achieve excellence?

Only 8 easy items to complete to achieve bronze status! Silver and gold focus on outcomes, response rates, creativity and innovation in advocacy Online form, templates, and sample materials available to make applying easier The checklist and other resources

Kudos to our first ACEs! Two Health Centers have achieved bronze status

Advocacy Center of Excellence

8 Advocacy Agenda Key Points Who We Are Who We’re Not Bronze Level Achieved! Silver and Gold Levels? In Summary

9 Advocacy Key Points 1.ACE Can Help You Get Organized and Stay on Track 2.ACE Will Help You Do More With Less 3.Advocacy is Fun… with or without ACE #NHCW1 5

10 Advocacy Who We Are Eight site health center Central and Eastern Kentucky Medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and enabling services Represented by the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee Kentucky is facing major changes to our Exchange and Medicaid Expansion

11 Advocacy Who We’re Not We do not employ communications or advocacy staff Our board members are not professional advocates Our leadership staff are not old friends, or family, of our elected officials

12 Advocacy Bronze Level Achieved! Advocacy Coordinator Advocacy Work Plan/Resolution Standing Agenda Items 50% Advocates National Health Center Week Event Host an Elected Official Social Media

13 Advocacy Gold and Silver Levels? Close, but work to be done… –Silver 75% staff and board –Gold Silver! We have met all measures for Gold, but need the 75% mark.

14 Advocacy In Summary 1.Get Organized and Stay on Track 2.Do More With Less 3.Advocacy is Fun #NHCW1 5

Thank You! Wayne Linscott Chief Administrative Officer

For more information, visit or contact Elizabeth Kwasnik at Questions?