Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) Program

The opportunity for health begins where we live, learn, work and play.

North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot program is an unprecedented opportunity to test the integration of evidence-based, non-medical interventions into the state’s Medicaid program. The Pilots will provide non-medical services to qualifying Medicaid members across four domains: housing, food, transportation and interpersonal violence/toxic stress. Critically, frontline care managers working in Pilot regions will play an essential role in identifying members that may benefit from Pilot services, recommending appropriate services and coordinating their care. Other staff working to support Pilot operations may find these trainings helpful to support their day-to-day work.

Keep this page open while you complete the steps below.

Step 1: Create an Account

· Create a MyAHEC account.
· Already have an account? Continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Register for Courses

· Select the registration link for the course listed in the table below. 
· Enter MyAHEC username and password and follow the prompts to complete registration.
· Register for each course individually by selecting the corresponding link.

Step 3: Access Course Materials

· Sign into MyAHEC.
· Select My Courses and Events.

· Select Access Course and Materials. 
· Select Open to launch a course.

Required and Recommended Trainings

Trainings will be continually added to this page as they are published.

TRAINING FOR CARE MANAGERS

Release Date/Last UpdatedTitleSelect the link to register
for your course or to view
slides & recordings.
Course is required for Care Mangers
October 31, 2023 

Intimate Partner Violence – Creating A Culture of Care for Survivors RegisterNote: HOP Care Managers can register for FREE, contact whitney.gordon@mahec.net for code. 

October 31, 2023 


Intimate Partner Violence – Best Practices in Intimate Partner ResponseRegisterNote: HOP Care Managers can register for FREE, contact whitney.gordon@mahec.net for code

October 20, 2023
 
Healthy Opportunities Pilot Training for PHIPs and Tailored Care Managers
Part 1
RegisterThis course is intended for Care Managers who will provide Tailored Care Management to Healthy Opportunities Pilot members. Pilot launch for these services will occur February 1, 2024.

March 21, 2023Healthy Opportunities Pilot: How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Interpersonal Violence Services Part 2 RegisterYES

March 17, 2023How Care Managers
Can Obtain Pilot
Consent
RegisterAs Care Managers transition to using the consent form released in Spring 2023, this course is required.

January 20, 2023
How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Health Related Legal SupportsRegister

December 27, 2022
How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Toxic Stress ServicesRegister

December 8, 2022
Understanding the Medical Respite Cross Domain ServiceRegister

November 17, 2022
UPDATED October 2023

How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Interpersonal Violence ServicesRegisterYES

September 20, 2022

How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Housing ServicesRegister

September 2, 2022


How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Food Services within the Healthy Opportunities Pilot ProgramsRegister

September 2, 2022
UPDATED September 2023
How Care Managers Can Choose Appropriate Transportation Services, Version 2Register

August 22, 2022
UPDATED September 2023
Tracking Enrollee Progress, Reviewing Service Mix, and Reassessing Pilot EligibilityRegister

March 9, 2022

Assessing Member Eligibility for Participation in the Healthy Opportunities Pilots Recording and Slides

February 25, 2022

 
Deeper Dive on Pilot Responsibilities of Frontline Care Managers Recording and Slides

February 11, 2022

The Role of CIN Care Management Teams in the Healthy Opportunities PilotsRecording and Slides

N/A




NC AHEC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Primary Care Clinical Providers and Non-clinical Staff | Module 2 – Cultural HumilityMAHECYES

N/A
Using Motivational Interviewing to Support the Healthy Opportunities PilotsSEAHEC

Training for Human Service Organizations (HSOs)

Release Date/Last UpdatedTitleSelect the link to register
for your course today
Required for HSOs
March 17, 2023
Sensitive Services for
HSOs and Pilot Staff;
Privacy & Confidentiality
for Survivors
RegisterYES

Other HOP-related Trainings

Release Date/Last UpdatedTitleCourse materials
Recommended For
May 3, 2023




CHW Specialty Training Program: Introduction to Healthy Opportunities Pilots for CHWs
Register



Community Health Workers




May 16, 2022 Evidence Base Roundtable Series #6, Intimate Partner ViolenceSlides

May 12, 2022 Evidence Base Roundtable Series #5, Network Lead Pilot Region OverviewSlides

April 29, 2022  Evidence Base Roundtable Series #4 Housing, Transportation and Legal SupportSlides

April 21, 2022  Evidence Base Roundtable Series #3, Food and Pilots EvaluationSlides

April 12, 2022  Evidence Base Roundtable Series #2, SIRENSlides

April 6, 2022 Evidence Base Roundtable Series #1, KickoffSlides


February 15, 2023


Healthy Opportunities No Wrong Door Approach to EnrollmentRecording and SlidesPrimary Care Providers and Advanced Medical Homes

December 16, 2022


Healthy Opportunities Pilots:
Local Health Department Care Manager Pilot Engagement
SlidesLocal Health Departments





Building the skills and capacity for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) takes time to learn and integrate into patient care.  For this reason, it is recommended that Healthy Opportunities Pilot staff complete additional trainings, such as Implicit BiasStructural RacismCommunication in Healthcareand Microaggressions


Healthy North Carolina 2030

What is Healthy North Carolina 2030 and the NC State Health Improvement Plan?

Every 10 years, the state of North Carolina embarks on a goal setting process to identify the indicators or measures of good health and well-being for the people of our state over the next decade. The culmination of this process for the current decade, led by the North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is known as Healthy North Carolina 2030 (HNC 2030). These indicators were selected based on evidence of impact on health and with input from over 400 experts and community members. In developing HNC 2030, the team recognized the important roles of health behavior, social and economic factors, and the physical environment in contributing to health care. HNC 2030 serves as the foundation for the North Carolina State Health Improvement Plan (NC SHIP). 

What is the role of NC AHEC?

NC AHEC is a key partner for NC SHIP implementation.  Through programming designed to contribute to a healthier NC, much of our statewide work aligns with the indicators identified in HNC 2030.  

Our programming:

  • Supports the improvement of statewide Behavioral Health outcomes through educational training and practice support.  
  • Delivers educational programming to address substance abuse issues through Opioid Screening, Buprenorphine training and Tobacco and Alcohol use treatment/education. 
  • Helps primary care practices close care gaps with adult diabetes screening rates, pediatric immunizations and timely access to prenatal care at no cost.
  • Supports medical residency training programs, aiming to increase residency positions in rural areas as a means of decreasing health inequities. This is done via programmatic and financial assistance.
  • Provides educational courses addressing the community health disparities outlined in NC SHIP, delivering the training needed to keep NC’s providers current within emerging public health issues. 

This brief video, featuring Dr. Adam Zolotor, NC AHEC Associate Director for Medical Education and former President and CEO of the NCIOM, provides a high-level overview of HNC 2030 and its impact on the health of individuals in North Carolina. 

Where can I get more information at one of our Regional AHEC Centers?

Please view this directory to find the contact at your Regional AHEC for each HNC2030 indicator that aligns with our statewide work. We have designated contacts for indicators 5, 10-15, and 17-19.

Community Health Worker Program

Bridging Community and Systems for Better Health and Well-Being

Community Health Worker Integration into Primary Care Advanced Medical Homes

Community Health Worker (CHW) services and programs are crucial in helping Advanced Medical Homes improve chronic disease self-management and health outcomes, enhance the patient experience, reduce emergency room utilization and hospital readmissions, as well as impact health equity and overall healthcare costs.

View the videos below to hear directly from Community Health Workers and healthcare providers working in NC about the important role that CHWs play in improving individual and community health.  



Promo Video: View via Google | View on YouTube



Case Study Video: View via Google | View on YouTube


Duke Story: View via Google | View on YouTube



El Centro Hispano Story: View via Google | View on YouTube

The NC AHEC Community Health Worker (CHW) Program supports the development of a qualified and sustainable CHW workforce well equipped to advance health equity. While NC AHEC serves as an anchor partner in the NC CHW Initiative, the NC DHHS Office of Rural Health serves as the lead agency. For more information about our work, contact Cathryn Chandler at cathryn.chandler@mahec.net.

NC AHEC Practice Support is available in partnership with NC DHHS Division of Health Benefits. Practice Support coaches are able to support primary care practices interested in adding CHWs to their teams or optimizing existing CHW programs. This service is available at no charge to your practice. Visit the NC AHEC’s Practice Support webpage for more information, or contact us via email at practicesupport@ncahec.net to seek assistance.


CHW Workforce Training & Support

NC CORE COMPETENCY TRAINING

This training is offered through the NC Community College System and is required for CHW Certification in North Carolina. Learn more by visiting https://ncchwa.org/en/resources#scct.

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CHW SPECIALTY TRAINING

NC AHEC, as an anchor partner in the NC CHW Initiative, is committed to ensuring that Community Health Workers have access to ongoing training and professional development resources.  As a vital workforce for advancing health equity, it is important that CHWs are able to deepen their knowledge and sharpen their skills for providing all North Carolinians with the opportunity for health and wellness.  Through funding provided by the NC DHHS Department of Health Benefits (Medicaid), NC AHEC has worked with other key stakeholders, including CHWs and CHW supervisors, to develop standards for CHW Specialty training, identify key training topics, and develop a series of online modules specifically geared towards preparing CHWs to partner with primary care practices as part of the new Medicaid Managed Care network.   

Each module provides continuing education credit recognized by the NC CHW Association for the purposes of maintaining certification.  Some modules stand alone in terms of the topic covered while others can be combined to deepen CHW knowledge and skills on a particular topic.  Each module has been co-developed with CHWs to ensure the focus of learning and style of education reflects CHW culture and real-life scenarios.  This module is divided into sections focusing on an overview of NC Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care, the role of CHWs in Medicaid Managed Care, and the role of CHWs in client advocacy.   

CHW Integration into Advanced Medical Homes:
NC AHEC is developing self-paced online specialty training programs to prepare CHWs and practices for CHW integration into primary care as part of Medicaid Managed Care. Training programs will be released in English and Spanish on a rolling basis beginning February 2022. This service is also supplemented with Practice Support coaches with expertise in CHW optimization within your practice or Advanced Medical Home. Click on the links embedded in the training program titles below to learn more and to register.

ENGLISH
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Cultural Responsiveness
Social Determinants of Health
Chronic Disease – Prediabetes and Diabetes
Well Child Care & Immunization
Perinatal Prenatal and Postpartum
Client Interviewing
A Practical Look at Health Coaching Conversations
Introduction to Healthy Opportunities Pilots for CHWs
Introduction to Care Management for High-Risk Pregnancies (CMHRP)
Introduction to Care Management for At-Risk Children (CMARC)
Adolescent Health
ADHD (Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder)
Chronic Disease Prevention and Intervention
Chronic Disease Medication Adherence
Documentation in Client Record
Motivational Interviewing Conversations: Clients with Common Health Conditions
Working with Special Populations: LGBTQ
Care Management for CHWs
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for Community Health Workers
Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching for Community Health Workers
Resource Coordination
Behavioral Health Conditions:  Depression and Anxiety
Working with Clients with Behavioral Health Conditions
Overview of Medicaid Managed Care

SPANISH
Administración de Cuidados para Promotores de Salud
Trabajando con Clientes con Condiciones de Salud Conductual
Enfermedad Crónica: Adherencia a los Medicamentos
TDAH (Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad)
Condiciones de Salud Conductual: Depresión y Ansiedad
Introducción a el entrenamiento de salud y bienestar para Promotores de Salud
Salud Adolescente
Coordinación de Recursos
Introducción a la entrevista motivacional para Promotores de Salud
Conversaciones de entrevista motivacional: Clientes con Condiciones Médicas Comunes
Visión Conjunta de Administración de Medicaid
Determinantes Sociales de la Salud

These training programs are being developed with support from the NC DHHS Division of Health Benefits and will be made available free of charge.

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MONTHLY CHW PEER LEARNING COLLABORATIVES

This ECHO-based series brings CHWs from across the state together to support shared learning. The series is co-hosted by CHWs with topics selected through input from participants. Sessions are held monthly every third Thursday at noon. Live English-Spanish interpretation is provided.


Resources for Effective CHW Integration

NEW! CHW INTEGRATION WEBINAR SERIES
This series of webinars seeks to build awareness and understanding in a wide audience across the state about Community Health Workers (CHW) and CHW program models that can inform and benefit CHW integration strategies and activities in NC. There is a lot of strong and impactful CHW integration work going on in NC and across the country.  As a state, we are in the early phases of spreading and scaling CHW integration. It is important that we learn from those who have been leading this work to ensure that NC’s CHW integration approaches are the most impactful, equitable, and authentic (grounded in CHW culture).  Click on the title below to access a recording of the webinar.

Community Health Workers – A Vital Member of the Healthcare Team – Part 1 (Passcode: 3o2L.4c4)

Community Health Workers –  A Vital Member of the Healthcare Team – Part 2:
ENGLISH VERSION
SPANISH VERSION

An Introduction to Community Health Workers (CHWs) in North Carolina (passcode: 62%x3rJX)

CHW INTEGRATION & OPTIMIZATION TOOL
This tool is an evidence-informed comprehensive resource that includes a gap analysis, implementation resources, and a project management plan for integrating new or optimizing existing CHW programs in Advanced Medical Home settings. NC AHEC Practice Support coaches are able to assist you with the use of this tool as part of your CHW optimization efforts. For more information, please contact practicesupport@ncahec.net.

The Toolkit was developed with support from the NC DHHS Division of Health Benefits, NC AHEC, and the Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation.

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ECHO FOR CHW INTEGRATION INTO ADVANCED MEDICAL HOMES
Two 8-session ECHO series will be offered in 2022 to Advanced Medical Homes (AMH) interested in preparing for, optimizing, and/or implementing CHW services and programs. This series is offered in conjunction with 1:1 support from an NC AHEC Practice Support coach as needed by the practice or AMH.

These ECHO series will be offered with support from the NC DHHS Division of Health Benefits and will be made available free of charge.