Supporting Access to Youth Health and Education	Whole-Person Care: Championing Holistic Approaches to SUD Treatment and Support	Strengthening Bonds: CHPW’s Support for Tribal Health and Sovereignty
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CHPW Staff Recognitions and Community Partnerships

2024 Staff Recognitions

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP), which provides a wide range of services to low-income individuals and families, nominated CHPW’s Bekah Bennett and team for its 2024 Mission in Action award. SNAP recognizes local organizations, businesses, volunteers, and individuals who have gone the extra mile to help it continue its mission to provide opportunities for people in need.

Chief Executive Officer Leanne Berge delivered the opening keynote in January at the 2024 Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference, in Seattle. The annual conference focuses on bridging the gap between health policy and political reality. Berge discussed how different organizations in the health sector can partner and collaborate to improve the health of all Washingtonians.

CHPW isn't after the fanfare or the attention. They're truly doing this work because they care about the community and want to do what they can to better serve them.

Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)

CHPW Business Development and Sales Director Jordan Strobeck with Business Development Manager Bekah Bennett at SNAP's 2024 Partner Appreciation Awards, on December 4, where CHPW and Bennett were presented with the Mission in Action Award.

CHPW's Victoria Gersch and Kayla Salazar Poncet presenting at the CMS Health Equity Conference in Maryland.

Kayla Salazar Poncet and Victoria Gersch presented on “Lessons from the Community Health Plan of Washington: Designing an Equity-Focused Payment Model to Support Capacity Building, Community Needs, and Accountability,” at the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Health Equity Conference in Bethesda, Maryland. Their presentation was selected from over 600 applicants and showcased the multi-year collaboration between Community Health Centers (CHCs), CHPW, and the Washington State Health Care Authority to advance equity and address health disparities through equitable care practices. From 2021 to 2024, CHPW has invested $3.2 million to support the CHCs in devising and implementing 65 equity-focused projects aimed at improving access and care for underserved communities, with a commitment to continue the program through 2026.

CHPW obtained Health Plan Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for Cascade Select and now has accreditation for all three lines of business—Apple Health, Individual & Family Plans (Cascade Select), and Medicare Advantage. NCQA accreditation is a mark of distinction that indicates a health plan is dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality and service.

Community Partnerships

CHPW’s Community-Based Organization (CBO) and Community Health Center (CHC) outreach team live and work in the regions they serve and engage directly with the community to help individuals understand their health insurance options and access care. Their close partnerships with local CBOs and CHCs, and their connection to the places they call home, provide ongoing opportunities for connections to our members, providers, and partners.

In 2024 our outreach team attended events across Washington State to share coverage information, setting up tables in health clinics, at health or resource fairs, and community baby showers.