Boston, MA, April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centering Healthcare Institute (CHI) announced today that it has presented implementation awards to nine health centers across seven states as part of its first wave of 2019 awards to expand the CenteringParenting model of group care. The awards comprise of customized implementation support and group facilitation training amounting to a services package value of $10,000 - $30,000 per site. The goal of this initiative is to expand patient access to the Centering model of group care, specifically CenteringParenting family-centered well-child care, in communities where group care can have the greatest impact. It will help eliminate the financial barrier to those in resource-limited communities.
The nine sites identified are:
- Covenant Community Care, Inc – Detroit, MI
- Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth Family Medicine – Columbus, OH
- Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – Reno, NV
- Atlantic City Women’s and Children Pavilion – Atlantic City, NJ
- CMU Health – Saginaw, MI
- Gary Community Health Center – Gary, IN
- Siouxland Community Center Health Center – Sioux City, IA
- University of Maryland Community Medical Group, Hanover – Hanover, MD
- Compassion Health, Toledo – Toledo, OH
Additional elements of the Centering implementation award may include electronic project management support to lead the health center through the planning phase, an on-site Kickoff Day with a CHI consultant - including a Grand Rounds presentation, a Basic Facilitation training at a local two-day workshop and Site Accreditation for quality assurance.
These service packages have been awarded in several waves over the last two years. Centering Healthcare Institute plans to offer 62 more awards for the year and is now accepting applications for its second round of awards for 2019. Centers can apply online and applications are due May 31, 2019.
“We have an incredible opportunity to improve lifelong health by transforming birth outcomes, early childhood, and family health in the U.S. through Centering,” said Angie Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer of CHI. “Centering is the only intervention that offers continuity of care from pregnancy through the critical early childhood period of health and development, with a focus on parent activation and empowerment. We are thrilled to support these committed healthcare sites that are passionate about changing healthcare and improving health outcomes in their communities.”
CenteringParenting is CHI’s pediatric group care model that offers family-centered care to parents, caregivers, and children who meet with their healthcare team for nine well-child visits over the first two years. Participants are actively engaged in their child’s assessment at every visit: tracking growth, development, immunizations and oral health. Health assessments, immunizations and developmental screenings follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Bright Futures™ nationally recognized guidelines. Active participation makes parents more aware of the results and what these health indicators and milestones mean to their child’s health, growth and development. The two-hour group visit format allows the healthcare team to observe the parent-child interactions, model behaviors and developmentally appropriate activities, and for the group to explore the topics that matter most. An emphasis on self-care, wellness and women’s health is also woven throughout the model.
CenteringPregnancy and CenteringParenting can be offered as standalone models of care or with families continuing on from their prenatal groups after their child’s arrival into pediatric care. This continuity model is where Centering can have the greatest potential impact (P - 2+).
###
About CHI’s Implementation Awards
In October 2017, CHI announced an aggressive expansion plan focusing on underserved communities with poor health outcomes. With the generous support of Valhalla Charitable Foundation, CHI is able to provide these awards to eligible sites - primarily in FQHCs and community health centers - eliminating the financial barrier to those in resource-limited communities. A second wave of awardees will be announced in August 2019 and a third wave in September. Application details are on the Implementation Awards section of the website.
About Centering Healthcare Institute
CHI is a national non-profit organization, based in Boston, MA, with a mission to improve health and transform the way care is delivered. With over two decades of experience as the go-to resource for group healthcare, CHI has pioneered and sustained the Centering model of group care currently offered across 585 healthcare practice sites impacting close to 70,000 patients each year. The evidence-based Centering model combines health assessment, interactive learning and community building to help support positive health behaviors and drive better health outcomes. CenteringPregnancy® and CenteringParenting® provide the highest quality of care to families from pregnancy through age two of the child. The CenteringHealthcare® model of care is being extended to many different health conditions including groups for asthma, diabetes, opioid recovery, cancer survivors, chronic pain and other patient populations. Visit www.centeringhealthcare.org for more information.