Business Details
41 Years
experience
Your Partner for Rural Healthcare Solutions
The Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas (CHAD) has been a steadfast advocate for equitable healthcare access across North and South Dakota for over 40 years. As a non-profit membership organization, we work alongside health centers, community leaders, and partners to expand access to high-quality, affordable care in underserved areas. Our expertise in training, technical assistance, and advocacy supports nine health center organizations through clinical quality improvement, workforce development, financial stewardship, and policy advocacy. We collaborate with national and regional stakeholders to deliver best practices in areas such as HIV/AIDS education, emergency preparedness, and behavioral health integration.With a team of specialists in finance, marketing, human resources, and clinical operations, we empower health centers to meet federal requirements, achieve accreditation, and implement continuous quality improvement. Our mission-driven approach focuses on fostering healthy communities through initiatives that promote dental services, public health data analysis, and community planning. As a trusted leader in rural healthcare systems, we provide UDS data analysis, group purchasing programs, and workforce recruitment strategies while maintaining compliance with FTCA guidelines and federal regulations.
Services
Training Programs
Technical Assistance
Workforce Development
Clinical Quality Improvement
Data Analysis
Emergency Preparedness
Policy Advocacy
Group Purchasing
HIV Education
Community Planning
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We provide over 40 years of experience supporting rural health centers
- We offer specialized expertise in clinical quality and UDS reporting
- Our team delivers tailored workforce recruitment and retention strategies
- We facilitate group purchasing programs saving health centers millions annually
- Our technical assistance covers HIV/AIDS education and emergency preparedness
Services
Training Programs
CHAD offers comprehensive training programs that enhance healthcare professionals' expertise through monthly meetings, webinars, and specialized workshops. These sessions cover clinical quality measures, emergency preparedness protocols, and health center governance best practices. Our programs ensure healthcare providers stay current with federal requirements while improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practices.
Clinical Quality Improvement
Our clinical quality specialists work with health centers to implement continuous improvement initiatives aligned with UDS measures and Patient-Centered Medical Home standards. We provide HIV/AIDS education, special populations care strategies, and Meaningful Use compliance support. Through peer networking and data-driven analysis, we help centers achieve accreditation and maintain quality benchmarks.
Workforce Development
CHAD delivers targeted workforce solutions including competitive benefits guidance, recruitment campaigns, and retention strategies to address staffing challenges in rural healthcare. Our services cover employment law compliance, leadership development, and sexual harassment prevention training while connecting centers with state workforce agencies for collaborative solutions.
Data Analysis
Our data team supports health centers with UDS reporting, needs assessments, and comparative analysis of clinical metrics across the Dakotas. We provide tools for budget renewal, service area competition responses, and medically underserved designations while offering specialized training in population health data management and interpretation.
Emergency Preparedness
CHAD assists health centers in developing federally compliant emergency plans, conducting risk assessments, and coordinating with local emergency management. Our services include staff training, simulation exercises, and access to emergency supply networks through partnerships with Direct Relief and AmeriCares for continuity of care during disasters.
People
Shelly Ten Napel
Chief Executive Officer
Bringing 9 years of executive leadership experience, Shelly guides CHAD's strategic direction with a focus on expanding healthcare access across the Dakotas through collaborative partnerships and innovative programming.
Shannon Bacon
Director of External Affairs
With over a decade of healthcare policy experience, Shannon leads CHAD's advocacy efforts and government relations initiatives while managing critical partnerships that advance health center interests.
Deb Esche
Director of Finance & Operations
Deb leverages 15 years of financial leadership to optimize healthcare operations, directing CHAD's Value in Purchasing program that saves centers millions annually through strategic supply negotiations.
Lindsey Karlson
Director of Programs & Training
As program director, Lindsey develops comprehensive training initiatives and coordinates CHAD's network teams to enhance health center capabilities in clinical quality and operational excellence.
Jennifer Saueressig
Clinical Quality Manager
Jennifer leads CHAD's clinical quality initiatives, providing expert guidance on UDS measures, HIV care standards, and patient-centered medical homes through targeted technical assistance.
Questions
What is CHAD's primary mission?
CHAD supports community health centers in providing quality healthcare to underserved populations across North and South Dakota through training, advocacy, and technical assistance.
How does CHAD help rural health centers?
We offer clinical quality improvement programs, workforce development resources, data analysis services, and group purchasing opportunities to enhance operational sustainability.
What training programs does CHAD provide?
We deliver specialized training in HIV/AIDS care, emergency preparedness, clinical quality measures, and health center governance with national experts.
Can health centers access networking opportunities through CHAD?
Yes, we facilitate five network teams covering clinical, finance, dental, marketing, and human resources topics for peer-to-peer learning.
How does CHAD support health center financial management?
Our finance team provides benchmarking, grants management, and revenue cycle analysis while negotiating medical supply discounts through the ViP program.
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