A Local Approach to Community Health Improvement
Maine DHHS has awarded MCD Global Health (MCD), a Maine-based, public health nonprofit, a grant to serve as the Technical Assistance (TA) Hub for the three Rural Community Health Improvement Partnership (RCHIP) demonstration sites. In Phase 1, MCD brought extensive experience supporting program and organizational development to help community collaboratives strengthen their structures and strategies.
As the TA Hub, MCD created opportunities for joint learning, problem solving, and resource sharing across the regions. In addition, MCD guided each demonstration site through its readiness assessment, supported the development of equity focused, decision making processes, and responded to more than 50 technical assistance requests ranging from data analysis to stakeholder engagement. In addition, we oversaw the independent third party evaluation of this phase and established a TA Hub Advisory Group, which brought in subject-matter experts who provided consultation and educational sessions to help meet site-specific needs.
One of the key accomplishments in Phase 1 was developing and implementing a joint-funding strategy that successfully secured Phase II funding for both the sites and the TA Hub. This collaborative effort resulted in two foundation grants from the Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF) and the Point32 Health Foundation.
Looking ahead, sustaining this backbone capacity is essential for Phase II. Over the next several months, MCD plans to deepen community engagement, support implementation of site-specific priorities, oversee timelines, create efficiencies, and ensure that shared learning continues to inform a statewide, replicable model. Investment in the TA Hub strengthens internal staffing and infrastructure, but it also supports the three partnerships themselves, who rely on MCD’s coordination and guidance to advance strategies that improve the health and well being of their communities.
What R-CHIP Partners are Saying
"The vast resources and expertise of the TA Hub have shown their value during our search for sustainable funding opportunities."
