Mark Wright of the Aroostook Agency on Aging reviews the Aroostook County Health Improvement Partnership’s Readiness Assessment. The group has received additional funding to improve its member organizations’ statewide system planning and coordination. (Contributed photo)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The Aroostook County Health Improvement Partnership has received a two-year, $100,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program. These funds will significantly support the Partnership’s ongoing efforts to improve its member organizations’ statewide system planning and coordination.
In 2023, with support from the Aroostook Agency on Aging and funding from the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, ACHIP began building a partnership between health care, public health, and social services in Aroostook County. With over twenty partners involved, ACHIP began a comprehensive, year-long planning process and conducted extensive community research to understand the unique health-related social needs of Aroostook County residents.
This research, summarized in a 45-page readiness assessment report released in January 2024, revealed the complex and interconnected challenges residents face, including issues related to transportation, access to care, and social isolation. This new grant will enable ACHIP to translate these research findings into actionable plans, further building the organization’s capabilities.
“HRSA funding allows us to continue our collaboration with our community partners,” said Mark Wright, ACHIP deputy project director and special projects coordinator at the Aroostook Agency on Aging. “With this funding, ACHIP can increase efficiency, improve access to care coordination, and strengthen the rural health system in Aroostook County.”
ACHIP has already secured funding from the Maine Health Access Foundation to support more efficient coordination of medical appointments with public transportation throughout the county. In addition, a workgroup has been established to address social connection and belonging needs, a critical need identified in ACHIP research among people of all ages.
Wright continued, “The HRSA grant allows us to expand our partnership as Aroostook EMS and the Aroostook Partnership will join hospitals, health clinics, AMHC, the public health district, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, educational institutions, and numerous community-based organizations such as the Agency on Aging. We look forward to continuing our work with this diverse group of stakeholders, all committed to developing a comprehensive implementation plan that addresses the identified community needs while transforming the way organizations collaborate and innovate.”
To read the ACHIP readiness assessment, please visit https://www.aroostookaging.org/_files/ugd/17172b_07c458bba04d4607a3c8649a34aac162.pdf.
