What is Outreach - Starter Kit

Outreach plays a critical role in facilitating access to primary care, case management, health education, and social services to underserved populations. Outreach is about people and trusting relationships with the communities that we serve. In the National Outreach Guidelines for Underserved Populations, HOP defines outreach as the process of improving people's quality of life by:

- Facilitating access to quality health care and social services

- Providing health education

- Bringing linguistically and culturally responsive health care directly to communities

- Helping people to become equal partners in their health care

- Increasing the community's awareness of the presence of underserved populations

Resources

FRAMEWORK: National Outreach Guidelines for Underserved Populations

The ten Guidelines and accompanying strategies presented in this framework are intended to provide direction on how to most effectively use outreach to increase access to and utilization of comprehensive primary health care services for underserved populations.

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REPORT: Working Better Together – Year Two Assessment of Health Outreach Programs

Over a 3-year period (2014-2017), HOP is assessing the outreach-related training and technical assistance needs of health centers. In October 2015, HOP conducted focus groups with outreach and enabling staff from health centers nationwide. The summary report includes a description of the research methodology, key findings from the focus groups, and recommendations.

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COFFEE BREAK WEBINAR: What is Outreach?

This 15-minute webinar provides a brief introduction to health outreach, outlining the value of outreach and effective outreach strategies.

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BRIEF: Leveraging Outreach to Support the Patient-Centered Medical Home Model

The Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model emphasizes meeting the needs of the whole person through team-based coordinated care and continual quality improvement. This resource provides an overview of the PCMH principles and discusses how outreach staff may best be integrated within this model of care.

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CASE STUDIES: Innovative Outreach Practices

Since 2002, HOP has been profiling the innovative outreach practices of health centers across the country who are improving access to care in their communities. These case studies serve as practical tools for organizations seeking new ideas as well as guidance on "what's working" for outreach.

FEATURED: Integrating Outreach to Address the Social Determinants of Health

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FEATURED: Using the Promotora (Community Health Worker) Model to Engage, Empower, and Organize Patients for Positive Community Outcomes

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1. https://outreach-partners.org/2012/05/29/national- outreach-guidelines/
2. https://outreach-partners.org/2015/06/30/national- needs-assessment/
3. https://outreach-partners.org/2014/11/19/what-is-o utreach/
4. https://outreach-partners.org/2015/02/10/leveragin g-outreach-to-support-the-patient-centered-medical -home-model-2/
5. https://outreach-partners.org/2014/05/13/integrati ng-outreach-to-address-the-social-determinants-of- health/
6. https://outreach-partners.org/2016/06/29/using-pro motora-community-health-worker-model-engage-empowe r-organize-patients-positive-community-outcomes/
7. https://outreach-partners.org/obv-toolkit/