LPHIC Task Forces

The LPHIC work groups have met monthly since forming in June and have made great progress in defining their aims, identifying and prioritizing problems, and exploring opportunities. (See LPHIC Progress Report. – Nov. 2023). In an attempt to continue moving forward towards surfacing solutions and action plans, reduce the frequency of meetings, and encourage broader participation from our community, LPHIC proposes to establish sub groups, or Task Forces, that will further flesh out and develop action plans on behalf of the work groups. The task force focus areas, listed below, were created based on the interests and priorities established by the work groups and with the intent to avoid duplication of effort.

Each task force will consist of 4-8 members with the expertise, motivation and time to devote to action planning over the next 4-6 months. Existing LPHIC members may choose to join any task force and may recommend community members with relevant expertise to participate as well. (See the form below.)

The existing LPHIC work groups will provide guidance and feedback to the task forces. It is anticipated that the work groups will meet on a quarterly basis with members from the task forces in the work groups’ focus areas.

Task Forces to be guided by the Availability Work Group:

Plan for Aging Task Force
This task force will work to create a strategic plan that addresses the infrastructure and care-coordination needs of our rapidly expanding aging population. The emphasis will be on the continuum of care including skilled nursing, dementia, Alzheimer’s, behavioral health, long-term care, palliative care, hospice care, medical aid in dying, etc.  Examples of approaches the task force may consider include:

• • • • Getting Started with a Multisector Plan for Aging
      • Boomer Bond Assessment
      • Care Ecosystem Toolkit

Healthcare Workforce Recruitment & Retention Task Force
This task force will work to identify strategies to positively impact local healthcare workforce recruitment and retention efforts and support local workforce housing initiatives.

Reproductive Healthcare Services Task Force
This task force will evaluate options for providing those reproductive healthcare services not currently provided by Mercy Hospital.

Task Forces to be guided by the Accessibility Work Group

Community Care Hub Task Force
This previously established task force is currently conducting a study to evaluate the feasibility of creating a Community Care Hub (CCH) that facilitates and tracks referrals between medical, social, or behavioral service providers within the community to ensure people get connected to the care they need. The group has reviewed hubs in existence in communities throughout the US to better understand best practices, impact and sustainability. Based on the study outcome, the task force may develop a strategic plan for standing up a CCH.

Housing, Transportation & Childcare Task Force
Recognizing that housing, transportation and childcare issues can serve as barriers to healthcare access, this task force will focus on developing, supporting and/or strengthening initiatives and collaborations that address these social determinants of health.

Task Forces to be guided by the Affordability & Accessibility Work Groups

Healthcare Literacy & Advocacy Task Force
This task force will focus on creating or enhancing existing community resources that provide assistance to consumers with health insurance navigation, medical billing issues, and financial assistance programs.  The group will also explore options for making information available on prices of selected healthcare services for a variety of local facilities and providers.

Task Forces to be guided by the Healthcare Data Work Group

Community Healthcare Dashboard Task Force
This task force will provide consultation and support to Local First on their plans to develop a Web-based “dashboard” that tracks, monitors and reports on a variety of local healthcare indicators. The purpose of the initiative is to report on the performance of our local healthcare, assess healthcare value and identify opportunities for improvement, and inform and guide community-wide assessment, planning, and action.

Interoperability Task Force
This task force will focus on providing an overview of options for medical providers to securely share patient data to improve and expedite care delivery. Information will be gathered and a report will be developed to support local providers in improving adoption and utilization of the available tools.

Task Force Member Responsibilities

Member duties include prioritizing topics, reviewing and/or evaluating existing community resources, conducting research, gathering resources, convening stakeholders, developing action plans, drafting final recommendation documents, and making presentations to the LPHIC work groups. Members can expect frequent email communication and at least one in-person or hybrid meeting each month.

Task forces will establish their own aims, goals and action items. Decision-making will follow the same consent-driven approach adopted by the LPHIC work groups.

 

Task Force Application

Please let us know if you are interested in participating in one or more of the LPHIC task forces described above.  The LPHIC Chair or Vice Chair  will review your application and contact you to discuss your interest.