Handbook for States

 Establishing Governance for Health and Human Services Interoperability Initiatives Cover

“Strong governance from the start is essential for long-term success…it must be done immediately and quickly so that no more time is lost in seizing the time-limited funding opportunities that are currently available and in assuring that the human service perspective and vision of a fully integrated health and human services are part of the ACA [the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010] planning currently underway.” (American Public Human Services Association, 2012).

The need for strong governance in health and human services interoperability projects is well documented; however, few resources exist to explain how states can create and sustain governance models. In response, the Illinois Framework has published Establishing Governance for Health and Human Services Interoperability Initiatives, a handbook for states and local jurisdictions contemplating cross-agency projects. This step-by-step guide for implementing governance draws from expert interviews, intensive research into best practices, and the experience of the Framework in creating a governance structure in Illinois.

Establishing Governance for Health and Human Services Interoperability Initiatives begins by explaining the importance of developing governance for interoperability projects, and it provides a roadmap with six key attributes found in successful governance models. These attributes are:

  1. Identify and assemble strong executive leadership
  2. Create a shared vision
  3. Formalize governance structure
  4. Establish clear decision-making process
  5. Evaluate governance system and adapt as necessary
  6. Maintain transparent communications
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View a downloadable pdf version of the Handbook 

Establishing Governance for Health and Human Services Interoperability Initiatives pulls together existing and original research to highlight real-world examples of HHS governance structures. Success stories featured in the handbook include:

  • Montgomery County, MD
  • State of Minnesota
  • State of California
  • Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
  • State of Virginia
  • San Diego County, CA
  • New York City, NY

The handbook also highlights the challenges and lessons-learned from Illinois’ own experience in creating a governance structure for the Illinois Framework.

Funding for the handbook was provided by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Partnership Fund Pilot State Systems Interoperability and Integration (S212) Grant Project, a one-year planning grant distributed to Illinois by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

To order a copy of Establishing Governance for Health and Human Services Interoperability Initiatives, please send your request to [email protected].