Our Mission

The Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) was founded in 1976 as a non-profit organization with a mission to promote high-quality, accessible healthcare to underserved communities in Kentucky. KPCA represents a broad network of healthcare providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and other safety-net providers. Its establishment was driven by a growing recognition of healthcare disparities in rural areas, where residents often faced limited access to essential services.
 
Today, KPCA remains committed to its founding mission of improving healthcare access for all Kentuckians, especially those in underserved rural communities. The association continues to advocate for sustainable funding, workforce development, and innovative care delivery models that meet the evolving needs of Kentucky's diverse population. Through its partnerships, advocacy, and support of community health centers, KPCA plays a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare in the state.

KPCA PILLARS


                    

Advocacy is designed to enhance the political and policy influence of KPCA and its members, ensuring they can shape healthcare policy at both the state and federal levels. The plan aims to:

  • Develop a guiding philosophy: A philosophy approved by KPCA's Board of Directors and Health Policy Steering Committee will direct advocacy efforts. This ensures that KPCA's positions and actions reflect a unified stance.
  • Expand the advocate footprint: KPCA seeks to grow its base of active member advocates from 1,000 to 2,000. This expansion includes making advocacy easier through improved communication tools that track engagement and mobilize members.
  • Strengthen stakeholder relationships: Building strong relationships with state and federal elected officials is a key priority. KPCA collaborates with external consultants and facilitates visits by officials to member sites to increase recognition and influence in policymaking.



Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) is vital for improving member organizations’ operational and clinical performance. The plan focuses on:

  • Understanding member needs: KPCA conducts annual needs assessments, ensuring that at least 75% of members participate. These assessments help the organization tailor its assistance to align with member maturity and the HRSA Health Center Excellence Framework.
  • Growing KPCA staff expertise: KPCA aims to develop staff expertise in key areas such as compliance, finance, and business operations. This allows them to offer real-time responses and informed guidance to members.
  • Enhanced learning opportunities: KPCA will restructure its training delivery, offering a continuum of learning and creating user-friendly, on-demand resources. By archiving past programs and curating educational pathways, KPCA fosters ongoing staff and member development.
 

Collective Impact: KPCA emphasizes collaboration and shared efforts to multiply the impact of its members, focusing on:

  • Strategic partner program: KPCA administers programs that align with members' needs, facilitating contracts and service procurement. This includes resource identification and mapping for emergency responses and workforce development.
  • Elevating members as employers of choice: KPCA supports members in becoming attractive employers by offering programs that improve organizational health and benefits, enhancing their ability to attract and retain talent.
  • Value-based care success: A significant focus is on supporting members in navigating value-based care arrangements, encouraging the use of data aggregation to improve the health outcomes of Kentuckians. This positions KPCA members as key stakeholders in the broader health policy landscape.
 

Connection: This pillar emphasizes fostering collaboration among KPCA members and building strong relationships between members and KPCA staff. It includes:

  • Leadership development: KPCA focuses on creating leadership opportunities for middle managers, emerging executives, and providers. Programs are being developed to support their professional growth and facilitate peer networking, which helps in succession planning and organizational sustainability.
  • Collaboration initiatives: KPCA creates intentional opportunities for members to collaborate on advocacy, projects, peer learning, and grant proposals. It facilitates peer connection through managed listserv groups, ensuring that members can share resources and ideas.
  • Improving staff engagement with members: KPCA strives to grow engagement by building a communication feedback loop, which tracks interactions and identifies under-engaged members. This helps in targeted outreach and better understanding of member needs.