Operations Hub
Empowering Organizations to Grow Stronger, Together
To help communities in Illinois navigate an evolving landscape and optimize both health outcomes and financial sustainability, the following three Illinois-based nonprofits organizations have established the Help.Guide.Thrive. Operations Hub (HGT Hub) as a statewide Community Care Hub.
Who We Serve​
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Local Health Departments
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Community-based Organizations
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Federally Qualified Health Centers
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Health systems and other providers
IPHA
Founded in 1940, the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA) is the oldest and largest public health association in Illinois and one of the largest affiliates of the American Public Health Association (APHA). IPHA is a trusted hub for advocacy, continuing education, networking, and training. A well-known and highly-respected health organization, IPHA’s mission is to strengthen and support public health throughout Illinois communities by mobilizing partners and advancing health equity. As a professional society for those engaged or interested in public health, IPHA exists to advance the field, strengthen the workforce, and protect community health across the state. With nearly 7,000 members, including representation from over 90 agencies and all 102 Illinois counties, IPHA is committed to their vision of health equity and wellbeing for all Illinois Communities. In addition to a core team of staff operating out of its main office located in Springfield, IPHA has staff who are positioned throughout the state, providing unique perspectives for ensuring that public health initiatives are effective, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
IPHCA
Established in 1982, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) proudly serves as Illinois’ Primary Care Association (PCA) representing community health centers (CHCs). IPHCA’s membership is comprised of 56 CHCs in Illinois that operate nearly 485 sites statewide. Illinois CHCs provide services to 1.5 million patients annually.  With the administrative office located in Springfield and multiple staff located throughout the state working remotely, IPHCA can focus on improving the health status of underserved and vulnerable populations throughout the state by fostering the provision of high-quality, comprehensive health care. IPHCA is committed to fulfilling its mission of positioning CHCs to be the providers of choice within the communities they serve through advocacy, education, and technical assistance emphasizing the high quality, accessible and integrated health center model of care. IPHCA fosters communication to resolve mutual problems and share successes; provides education and training to enhance the operation of health care services; provides fiscal and management technical assistance to promote efficiency of CHC operations; assists in the recruitment and retention of professional clinical staff; develops and maintains information systems; and promotes linkages between CHCs and related organizations and agencies.
HAP
The HAP Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance access to serious illness care through education, research, advocacy, and workforce development. HAP believes that all people are entitled to an informed, empowered understanding of the benefits of hospice, palliative, and grief services. With a vision to positively transform the way people view and experience serious illness and end of life care, HAP is committed to ensuring equitable access to care through our innovative programming. ​Programming includes a team of CHWs that provide empowering education on serious illness topics, as well as resource connectivity, within the communities where they live and  work; an AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce CHW training program for older adults living in central Illinois; a U.S. Department of Labor registered CHW Apprenticeship Training program; community-engaged research that aims to better understand and impact disparities in end-of-life care; a nationally recognized pediatric palliative care collaborative; and Missing Pieces, a grief navigation following child loss program that collaborates with regional medical examiners and coroners to support families following the sudden and traumatic loss of a child.
Background
In 2024, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) released an updated Practitioner Fee Schedule, outlining Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians and other healthcare providers. This revision expanded the scope of reimbursable services to include new professions. Doulas and Certified Lactation Counselors are now able to bill Medicaid for services provided to eligible individuals. In late 2026, Community Health Workers (CHWs) are expected to be added to the fee schedule, enabling them to bill for services that address health-related social needs (HRSNs).
While final guidelines for CHW billing are still in development, anticipated billable services may include:
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Care coordination and system navigation
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Health education and advocacy
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Clinical support and community outreach
Additionally, 1115 waivers are expected to support services such as:
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Food and nutrition assistance
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Supportive housing
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Medical respite care
To support communities in adapting to these changes, Community Care Hubs are being developed. These Hubs—whether local or regional—are designed to function as support networks for healthcare providers and community-based organizations (CBOs). By coordinating resources and services, they help organizations collectively address a broad range of health-related social needs (HRSNs) that individual entities may not have the capacity to manage on their own.
Drawing on best practices from successful Hubs across the country, Help.Guide.Thrive. Operations Hub (HGT Hub) aims to build strong, collaborative networks throughout Illinois. These networks will bring together CHWs, Doulas, Certified Lactation Counselors, advocates, public health professionals, and healthcare system representatives—working in partnership to amplify community voices and deliver the services needed to support the health of your community.
