CA8-02: Implementing a Community Health Initiative Using the Chronic Care Model.

Background/Aims Group Health, an integrated care system serving 600,000 members in Washington state, has developed a community health initiative (CHI) based on the medical home and the Chronic Care Model (expanded to emphasize community health promotion). Primary care providers want to maximize their limited time and resources for encouraging healthy behaviors but often are unaware of the full range of community services that can augment and support clinic-based care. The overall goal of the CHI is to improve health outcomes by integrating patient-centered approaches with community- based programs and services that promote better health.