4 Ways a Strategic Collaboration Helps Maximize Public Health Funding

In recent years, public health infrastructure has faced significant challenges, increasing the need for enhanced data systems and reporting mechanisms. Fortunately, there’s good news: large amounts of funding are being allocated to support data modernization efforts across the country. 

From the Office of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to specific state-level funding initiatives, public health organizations have an unprecedented number of opportunities to update and upgrade their processes, systems and infrastructure. However, the complexity of securing and using this funding is often underestimated. That’s where working with a trusted advisor and vendor becomes crucial.

Here are four reasons why public health organizations should work with a trusted advisor and vendor to access the data modernization funding:

1. Navigating Complex Funding Regulations

Grants like the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) and the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) come with restrictions on how the funds can be used. For example, while states have received ELC funding to increase lab reporting, not all counties benefit equally.

While ELC (Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity) funding is crucial for public health initiatives, there are some challenges associated with it.

Typically, there are strict deadlines for the procurement of and investment of funding. Netsmart works as the vendor to meet set deadlines on behalf of clients through our various implementations and solution suites.

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2. Maximizing Available Resources

Public health grants, such as the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) or DMI funding, are essential to updating and upgrading data systems. However, many organizations fail to fully utilize the funds they’ve been awarded because they simply don’t know how. In some cases, organizations lose their funding by failing to spend it in time or on the right initiatives.

Working with an advocate like Netsmart can solve this issue by identifying how to best allocate grant money toward needed improvements, such as electronic health record (EHR) updates, population health, augmented intelligence solutions or other technology enhancements. Vendors need to be familiar with grant timelines and spending constraints, to be able to help adjust designations to keep your funding stream flowing, ensuring you maximize every dollar.