Date: April 21 - June 16, 2026

Application is due on April 1, 2026

As the leader of a Look-Alike Health Center, you deal with significant and distinct challenges on a daily basis.  If you are new to the role, new to the Look-Alike Health Center Program, or even a seasoned veteran, you know that Look-Alikes respond uniquely with innovation to everyday issues.   

You are not alone: help is just a click away! 

NACHC invites you to join us for our annual Community of Practice for Look-Alike Health Center Leadership Teams.  

This uplifting, engaging, and free 5-part Look-Alike Health Center Community of Practice will meet between April – June 2026. All Look-Alikes are welcomed! Each workshop will cover a topic relevant to Look-Alikes and provide an intentional opportunity for LALs to discuss the topic with their peers in breakout discussions.  The program also features subject matter experts and an exchange of tools, resources, and best practices on selected topics. 

The Community of Practice in close partnership with alumni from past Look-Alike Trainings. 

Target Audience 

This Community of Practice is offered for:

• Both newly designated and well-established Look-Alikes
• Look-Alike Health Center Leadership Teams - specifically Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Finance Directors, Compliance Officers, Development Directors, Human Resource Directors, and more.  

As a participant of this Learning Collaborative, you get to pick and choose who from your Look-Alike attends each session based on role, experience, and topic area. 

Learning Objectives 

• Interact, dialogue, and learn from senior leaders of other Look-Alike Health Centers; 
• Describe practical solutions, tools, and strategies utilized by Look-Alike health centers to address the management and financial challenges of running a Look-Alike; 
• Identify additional areas and issues for which Look-Alikes need further resources and/or training and technical assistance support; and 
• Have fun! 

Participation Requirements 

• Look-Alike Health Centers will have at least one staff member attend each of the five (5) learning sessions (the representative may change based on the Workshop) 
• Respond to workshop and Learning Collaborative evaluations; and 
• Engage in the MIRO Learning Community 

Apply for this learning collaborative

Look-Alike Health Center participants who meet the requirements listed above will be accepted into the Community of Practice on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. Please join us! 

Application is due on April 1, 2026

For more information, contact NACHC Staff Leads, Ted Henson, Director, Health Center Growth & Development, [email protected] and Avni Shridharani, President, Community Health Strategies, [email protected].

We hope you will join us for what we feel will be an informative and helpful time together.  

Workshop Schedule 

Workshop 1: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET 

Community of Practice Kick-Off: Overview of Look-Alike Program, Resource Showcase, and Health Center Program Compliance 

This first workshop will convene Look-Alike Health Center leadership teams to meet peers from across the country to exchange ideas and strategies related to operating a Look-Alike Health Center. This Workshop will also feature short SPARK presentations on 1) The Overview of the Health Look-Alike Program; 2) Training and Technical Assistance Resources; and 3) Health Center Program Compliance 101: What to expect on your Operational Site Visit (OSV). This is a perfect opportunity for newer Look-Alikes and/or newer staff to learn and exchange ideas and/or seasoned leaders to get a refresher for an upcoming OSV!

Workshop 2: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET 

Look-Alike Health Center Finance 101: Revenue Cycle, Budgeting, Sliding Fee, Oh My!

This second workshop will continue with laying out foundational elements of operating a Health Center with a focus specifically on Health Center Finance. This session will feature SPARK presentations from NACHC staff on the Health Center Revenue Cycle and from FORVIS on trends in Look-Alike Health Center Revenue Cycle Management. This is a great opportunity for newer Look-Alikes – particularly Chief Financial Officers and revenue cycle staff – to learn and exchange ideas! 

Workshop 3: May 19, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET 

Choose Your Own Adventure: Look-Alike Financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

Building off Workshop 1, this third workshop will provide a deeper dive into important strategies your Look-Alike Health Center can pursue to make up revenue gaps and low- to negative-profit margins. Join this Workshop to hear a showcase of ideas and strategies employed by Look-Alike and consultants to generate revenue. This workshop will highlight Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that resonate specifically with Look-Alike leaders in today’s regulatory landscape.  

Workshop 4: June 2, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET 

It’s Partner Time! Increasing Access to Care and Sustaining Your Look-Alike through Strategic Partnership 

Look-Alikes must think creatively about how to effectively deliver care and operate their health centers. A key to sustainability can be through partnering with other health care providers – i.e. 330-funded health centers, hospitals, specialty clinics, etc. -- to provide access to certain services and at certain locations. Partnerships aren’t always easy; they may have complex contractual arrangements and Form 5A and 5B implications. This session will highlight successful partnership models employed by Look-Alikes to provide care or leverage operational systems. 

Workshop 5: June 16, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET 

Are You Ready Yet? Preparing for HR1 Implementation 

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) -- also known as HR1 – many changes are coming to Medicaid, from work requirements to more frequent redeterminations. This workshop will provide a summary of these changes, the implementation timeline, and highlight the financial and operational implications of these changes specifically for Look-Alikes. The session will highlight strategies health centers can pursue to get ready for HR1 and ensure their patients maintain access to care. This session will conclude with an open discussion for Look-Alike leaders to share general best practices and ideas.