1)    Is the Delta Health Alliance a granting agency? 

The Delta Health Alliance (DHA) is not a granting agency. We are an association of over a dozen different community-based non-profit agencies, universities, workforce development groups and professional associations, united through our mutual interest in developing sustainable programs that meet critical needs in our region. The majority of our programs are funded through the mechanism of Cooperative Agreements, meaning that the DHA is an active participant in every project we support. 

The DHA works with our partners to 1) identify the most critical needs of our communities, 2) write proposals and identify funding opportunities, 3) work together to implement those initiatives, then 4) evaluate the results.  If a project’s results are positive and sustainable, we will endeavor to help develop business plans to sustain those efforts and even replicate them into other communities with similar needs.

If your agency or community has an idea that you would like to present to the DHA, please begin by reviewing the types of projects already supported by the DHA in order to ensure the effort does not duplicate something already underway and that it would be in keeping with the types of initiatives historically supported.  If you would like to proceed, please prepare a brief one-page summary of the idea, including statement of need, targeted service area and estimated total funding support needed, to the DHA at tedwards@deltahealthalliance.org.  The DHA does not have a pool of funds available to direct to new projects, but it may be possible that we can help your group identify some support for your initiative, assist with its implementation or partner you with an agency that can. 

Yes we do. The DHA hosts bi-annual workshops on a variety of topics, including grant writing, developing community based participatory research projects and evaluation plans, business plan development, networking and other programmatic skills.  The DHA also supports a wide variety of conferences and seminars across the Delta, hosted by our project partners. For information on upcoming events, please visit our Upcoming Events page.  

The success of the DHA stems from largely from its ability to coordinate limited resources to their best use.  If your group has skills, services, goods or talent that you believe might compliment one of our initiatives, we encourage you to contact us at tedwards@deltahealthalliance.org about collaboration.

The service area for the DHA was developed when our agency was formed and formalized by our Board of Directors, to focus efforts on one 18-county area of the state that had significant need and could be served in a coordinated fashion.  We typically do not partner with projects outside our service area, but given the overlapping fashion of some healthcare programs (particularly health education or workforce development), the effects of some of our programs may impact neighboring areas.

Every year, the DHA authorizes a needs assessment of our communities to identify a) what are the critical issues effecting the health and well-being of our residents, b) what services are currently being provided, and c) what are the ongoing gaps that exist that impact access to adequate care.  From these “gap analyses”, focus areas are identified to help direct future project development.  Community input is sought to ensure acceptance of programs and interest in new collaborations.

a.    We already provide some of those services and I’m concerned about competition / duplication of     
       services. Who can we talk to?

       The DHA was formed for the specific purpose of identifying unmet healthcare needs and working with local              partners to develop sustainable programs that meet those needs. Avoiding duplication of services is one of               our strongest concerns, given the limited nature of resources for our region.  If you believe that one of our                initiatives might overlap with existing programs, please contact our Vice President of Development at
       tedwards@deltahealthalliance.org.

b.    Our agency is also in that community, but we provide other services. I think there is an opportunity to                        coordinate. Who can we talk to?

       Partnerships are the heart of every effort we undertake and the DHA is interested in coordinating services                whenever possible. Please review our list of current projects and service areas. If you believe that coordination        with the DHA would be beneficial, please contact our Vice President of Development at                                            tedwards@deltahealthalliance.org.

c.    My church/business/school is very interested in getting more information. Who can we talk to?

       The DHA website has a list of all project partners at our Partners page. Additional information on these                    initiatives may be available on their own websites. Or feel free to contact our Vice President of Development         at tedwards@deltahealthalliance.org.