April 4, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC—April 4, 2024— The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today announced the launch of two resources to navigate and form cross-sector partnerships to address health-related social needs, A Reference Guide for Community-Based Organizations Collaborating with Health Care Organizations, for community-based organizations (CBOs) to establish or maintain partnerships with health care organizations, and a Toolkit for Health Care Organizations Collaborating With Community-Based Organizations, to help health care organizations (HCOs) develop an effective and equitable partnership environment. Both resources stemmed from insights derived from interviews and focus groups, to better understand partnership motivations, perceived benefits, and strategies. The resources were supported by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A. Inc.
Federal and state initiatives in health-related social needs have driven promotion of cross-sector partnerships to improve the health and well-being of communities. The position of CBOs as a trusted resource in providing services that address unmet social needs, makes them invaluable partners for HCOs to reengage more deeply with community members who have been mistrustful of or disconnected from the health care system. Both resources help to understand motivations for creating and sustaining partnerships, cover insights into how to cultivate equitable partnerships and expectations, understanding partnership structures, help to establish agreements and funding, focus on the impact of data access and sharing, tactics for evaluation, and opportunities for growth.
“Intentional, multi-sector collaboration and community partnership are essential pathways to advancing the health equity of individuals and communities,” said NCQA Director, Health Equity Initiatives Dr. Bryan O. Buckley. “Barriers like siloed work and lack of clarity around partnership structures and shared goals have often led to ineffective partnerships between health care and community-based organizations. The HCO Toolkit and CBO Reference Guide were created in concert with the very organizations they are designed to support and can be leveraged in their communities to address those barriers and help organizations create mutually beneficial partnerships that have a positive social impact. By working together, CBOs and HCOs can create a more integrated, effective and equitable health system that better meets the needs of their communities.”
To download the Reference Guide for Community-Based Organizations Collaborating with Health Care Organizations and/or the Toolkit for Health Care Organizations Collaborating With Community-Based Organizations visit www.ncqa.org/cross-sector-partnerships-to-address-health-related-social-needs/.
About NCQA
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA Accredits and Certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also Recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make informed health care choices. NCQA can also be found at Twitter @ncqa and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
Media Contact
Theresa Masnik
SHIFT Communications
NCQA@shiftcomm.com