Health Center Advocacy

Health Center Advocacy

Advancing Community Health

ABOUT THE HEALTH CENTER ADVOCACY NETWORK

Currently, health centers provide comprehensive care to almost 30 million patients at 11,000 service delivery sites in every state and territory.

 

The primary purpose of the Health Center Advocacy Network is to support and advance the Community Health Center Movement and address the needs of the patients and communities served by health centers. HCAdvocacy.org provides access to best practices in order to establish advocacy infrastructure, training, information, tools, guidance, and general advocacy support. They welcome and offer these advocacy resources to serve two primary goals; to ensure sustained growth, consistent action, and responsiveness across the Health Center Advocacy Network and to support health centers in securing resources in order to thrive and care for all those in need in our communities through advocacy. The Health Center Advocacy Network is led and organized by The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), a nonprofit organization formed by Community Health Centers.

Rural Health Services

Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence

Rural Health Services (RHS) has been named a Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence. Achieving this award makes RHS one of 66 health centers that also claim this award across the nation. By becoming an ACE, Rural Health Services is committed to integrating advocacy into our organization’s mission and operation to ensure our health center, the patients we serve, and the community have a voice in critical policy decisions.

 

An Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE) is a Community Health Center focused on promoting advocacy efforts to secure support from policymakers for affordable, equitable, and innovative healthcare. ACE levels (bronze, silver, and gold) signify the degree of engagement and commitment to prioritizing advocacy within the organization. RHS, as an ACE, collaborates with national and local health associations to address federal and local policy issues affecting the health center and its patients.

 

Earning Gold ACE (Advocacy Center of Excellence) status signifies the highest level of dedication and prioritization of advocacy within a health center. Achieving this status places the organization among an elite group that sets an example for others striving for advocacy excellence. This accomplishment reflects the hard work and commitment of the staff and supportive leadership, which are crucial components for a successful advocacy program. This effort not only strengthens the Health Center Movement but also contributes to greater national success.