Technical Assistance: Who? What? Why? Where? When? And How? Catherine R. Liemohn, Interim Director Beverly A. Tyler, Associate Director Community Health Systems Development August 2007

What isTechnical Assistance? Most importantly, it is a relationship with someone to share the journey of your HRSA grant

What that means to you is… You will have an ongoing relationship with a Technical Assistance Provider There will be a process to collect information, set goals and deliver concrete services to your network/collaborative aimed at achieving your grant goals and objectives

What are the TA Services? A Technical Assistance (TA) Provider is assigned to work with each grantee throughout the coming year You will have regular telephone and contact with your TA Provider and once a year you will meet personally TA Providers offer strategic, targeted and flexible assistance in many areas –Most requested areas: Board/Leadership Development Community needs assessment Community engagement Social marketing/health promotion Evaluation & monitoring Strategic & Sustainability Planning About providing models of who has come before you so you do not “re-create the wheel” Connections to peers across the country

Examples of TA Assistance Your TA Provider can help: –Connect you with other grantees/communities who are working on similar projects across the country –Identify “models that work” Your TA Provider can facilitate: –Strategic planning sessions –Network/collaborative deliberations Your TA Provider can consult with you about your approach to : –Network design –Program implementation –Community outreach –Sustainability –Evaluation

GHPC’s Rural Health Experience Operations Development Program Development Access to Care Health Status initiatives 7 years 120+ communities 70+ regional networks 15+ state consultations

GHPC’s Rural Health Experience Developing start-up operations Designing & implementing programs Improving access & availability of health and human services Facilitating leadership development programs for boards and key stakeholders Program Evaluation Sustainability Planning

Step by Step Introduction to your Technical Assistance Provider Telephone interview Site visit Ongoing support

Step 1 – Assigning TA Providers Your TA provider is assigned by expertise and experience to best match your program areas You will meet with your TA Provider in the “Meet your TA Provider” session today Expect to hear from your TA provider again

Step 2 – Telephone Interview Your TA Provider will thoroughly review your grant application before calling you She/he will ask you questions based on the review of your grant application You should be prepared to identify your critical issues and discuss: –History of your community/network –Goals and objectives –Community/partner engagement –Sustainability –Evaluation methodology

Step 3 – Site Visit Next, you and your TA provider will jointly decide on which areas to focus on and set up a date, time, and place for a site visit Many will be one-on-one site visits at your location Some could be a forum among several grantees in same region with similar concerns And, it could be skills-building and peer mentoring workshops conducted at GHPC in Atlanta

Step 4 – On-Going Support Contact on a regular basis – , telephone, conferences, etc. Focused on objectives generated for/or at your site visit Will conclude with a closing assessment at the end of TA period

Other Technical Assistance Resources Technical Assistance Program Website: – Calendar of events Contact information Links Frequently asked questions Tools and resources Archived conference calls and related materials Quarterly Tele-Seminars: –Topics chosen based on grantee need and request –Presenters include experienced grantees, as well as national experts

Georgia Health Policy Center We are here to help…. Contact us…. Georgia Health Policy Center 14 Marietta Street, Suite 221 Atlanta, GA Phone: Fax: Your Community Health Systems Development Team at GHPC Beverly TylerCatherine Liemohn (404) (404)

The Technical Assistance Team Eric BaumgartnerRachel Ferencik (504) (404) Ethan JoselowLynne Kernaghan (404) (478) Glenn LandersCatherine Liemohn (404) (404)

The Technical Assistance Team Amanda Phillips MartinezPearl McElfish (404) (479) Karen MinyardJoann Ort (404) (614) Chris ParkerMary Ann Phillips (404) (404)

The Technical Assistance Team Bernette ShermanJohn Shoemaker (404) (888) Beverly TylerKaren Wakeford (404) (229) Jill WardStacey Willocks (706) (404)

Thank you Meet with your TA Provider …Now!