Gulf States: Building the Capacity of State Associations and Providers to Improve Care Systems

During its seven-year lifespan, the Delta Center brought together primary care associations and behavioral health state associations in 19 states to advance policy and practice change. The ultimate goal of the Delta Center is to cultivate health policy and a care system that is more equitable and better meets the needs of individuals and families. The State Learning and Action Collaborative model offered grant funding, one-on-one coaching and technical assistance, learning opportunities with national experts, and fostered peer-to-peer engagement between state teams through a series of convenings. The initiative was led by JSI in collaboration with strategic partners at the National Association for Community Health Centers, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and the Center for Accelerating Care Transformation.

During the Delta Center’s final convening in March 2024, we sat down with grantees to hear about their experiences in Phase II of the State Learning & Action Collaborative. As a result of their participation, PCAs and BHSAs built relationships with each other and collaborated to achieve key policy successes and advance racial and health equity in their states.

The Community Health Center Association of Mississippi, Mississippi Association of Community Mental Health Centers, Louisiana Primary Care Association, and Louisiana Public Health Institute improved their care systems by building the capacity of state associations and providers.

Learn more about the Delta Center at https://deltacenter.jsi.com/