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The University of New England's Center for Community and Public Health (CCPH) will serve as a key partner in a Washington County Health Planning grant project, which was recently awarded funding by the U.S. Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA).

The $85,000 HRSA Rural Network Development Planning grant will be used to establish a Washington County Care Coordination Rural Health Network aimed at improving self-management through education, technology, support services and community based accessible resources.

The population of Washington County currently experiences high rates of chronic health problems; many are uninsured and rely on hospital services, including emergency room services, to manage their symptoms. The resources to enable patients to self-manage their conditions—a proven approach to health improvement—are very limited. The HRSA funding will be used to create a formal, proactive network of healthcare practices to plan a more deliberate, integrated, and collaborative care system that empowers patients to play a more active role in their care.

As a founding network partner, CCPH's Executive Director Dr. Ron Deprez, an expert on innovations in chronic disease care, will assist in organizing the network and developing the initial work plan. The focus will be on how health care providers, patients and community resources can be aligned with current and additional community resources to maximize the role of patients in self-management of chronic and related health conditions including drug abuse and mental health conditions.

According to Deprez, "This project offers a real opportunity to improve the health of Washington County residents; it will focus on the needs of patients beyond the walls of the health care system."

The project's two-pronged approach will consist of developing a care management model that will assist primary care, health centers and hospitals to improve patient care, care transitions and community support for at-risk populations; and to support patients and families in overcoming barriers to care through education and navigation assistance through a strong community care team.

CCPH staff will also play an evaluation role in the project.

The grant and subsequent planning year commenced on September 1, 2012, and will conclude August 31, 2013.Other partners in the network include the two hospitals and three federally qualified health centers in the county, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, The Community Caring Collaborative, Cobscook Community Learning Center, the Public Health District, and Eastern Maine Health Care, among others.

In 2008, É«ÏãÊÓƵ's CCPH was the key partner in the establishment of a similar network in Hancock County.