Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP)

Involving Residents to Create a Healthier Community

Through a shared commitment, Mountain View Hospital and OHSU’s Oregon Office of Rural Health and Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network are sponsoring a health improvement project. The program is designed to bring together local residents and healthcare providers to find ways to improve the health of residents and to address their health and healthcare needs.

CHIP At Work

The Community Health Improvement Partnership is used in more than 100 rural communities nationwide. It relies on a partnership among a broad community base of members to identify local health care issues and needs, giving residents a voice in what they want in health care services. The partnership also provides a way to create programs and projects to respond to those needs.

In Madras, CHIP Coordinator Beth Ann Beamer acts as liaison between members of the community and healthcare providers, and is working to develop partnership members.

Goals of the Partnership

The Partnership has six interrelated goals:

  • Improve the health status of the area residents
  • Involve as many people as possible in the decision-making process
  • Expand awareness of the health system’s resources and of issues facing health care delivery
  • Develop local leadership through training and experience in decision-making
  • Support the creation of projects and programs to meet identified community needs
  • Educate residents about the role health care plays in economic development

Madras CHIP Program Making Strides

Mountain View CHIP has developed four workgroups specific to community-identified health priorities listed below.

Healthy Communities and Prevention 

Aimed at reducing the burden of chronic disease by decreasing obesity in children and families. Programs under development include:

  • Community Gardens and Trail Connectivity
  • Senior Center Trail Development
  • Weight Management Classes
  • Health Challenges
  • Character Enhancement
  • Chronic Care Model Clinics

Quality of Services

The initiative to increase citizen awareness and involvement in quality services at Mountain View Hospital focuses on:

  • Community Health Allies Citizen Group for input on care quality issues at Mountain View

Affordable Health Coverage

Aimed at increasing the number of citizens with health coverage within the service area. Programs currently being developed include:

  • Sponsorship of Affordable Coverage and health Symposium
  • Political action for health initiatives
  • Central Oregon Healthcare Collaborative partner
  • Dental services enhancement for area children

Mental health and Substance Abuse 

Aimed at increasing the level of services for mental health and substance abuse. Programs being developed include:

  • Transitional housing support for recovering individuals
  • Grant partner for school-based initiatives
  • Support group funding
  • Political action for public funding of state programs
  • Grant seeking for behavioral health initiatives

Become a CHIP Partner

Everyone in our community has something to contribute to the discussion of local health care. You and your organization can be part of the Community Health Improvement Partnership!

If you would like more information on the CHIP process, please contact Beth Ann Beamer at 541-475-3882 ext. 2436.