Building a Better Connected Health System Across Colorado
Colorado’s Regional Health Connector Program is a state-funded, innovative partnership involving Trailhead Institute, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus’ Practice Innovation Program, and local health organizations across the state.
Regional Health Connectors (RHCs) are a statewide, locally-based workforce dedicated to improving how healthcare, public health, and social services work together to improve health and wellbeing across Colorado. Instead of working directly with individuals or families, RHCs focus on improving system-level connections and increasing access to local resources to address community needs effectively.
Each organization behind this innovative partnership plays a crucial role in supporting the impactful work of RHCs across Colorado.
Trailhead Institute
Program Office
Trailhead serves as the program office for the RHC program, providing technical assistance to RHCs and supporting statewide coordination, resource sharing, training, and contract management.
Practice Innovation Program at CU Anschutz
Evaluation
The Practice Innovation Program within CU Anschutz Department of Family Medicine oversees evaluation of the RHC program. Their team collects and analyzes monthly field notes, conducts interviews with RHCs, and monitors outcome data.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Sustainability
The Prevention Services Division within CDPHE administers funding for the RHC program as awarded through Colorado House Bill HB23-1244. CDPHE continues to support program sustainability and oversight.
Local Host Organizations
Local Implementation
The RHC program partners with local health departments, area health education centers, health alliances, and health networks who serve as local host organizations within each of Colorado’s 21 health statistics regions. Host organizations employ RHCs to support the health priorities of their community.
Regional Health Connectors in Action
RHCs work with local governments, community-based organizations, behavioral health providers, local public health agencies, primary care practices, and other local partners within their region to build a better-connected health system and improve health outcomes in their communities. RHCs work at the systems level to:
Connect primary care practices to community assets.
Guide the development of referral networks.
Build and strengthen partnerships and capacity.
Involve primary care practices in community health initiatives.
Educate on best practices to impact social determinants of health.
Convene partners to address community needs and resource gaps.
Program Impact
With support from local host organizations and program partners, RHCs work to:
Improve how healthcare, public health, and social services work together.
Support stronger, more effective networks to address social determinants of health such as food, housing, and transportation.
Build trust and strengthen relationships across clinics and the community.
Improve health, lower healthcare costs, and support happier patients and providers.