Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH)
Bothwell Regional Health Center, primary care and behavioral health providers and community-based organizations offering social services are working together to improve community health for Pettis County’s Medicaid population.
What is ToRCH?
ToRCH is a rural health program sponsored by the Missouri HealthNet Division, which manages the Missouri Medicaid program. It is a model of care that directs resources to rural communities committed to addressing the non-medical factors that impact health outcomes. Known as social determinants of health (SDOH), these factors include safe housing, transportation, access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity.
How Does ToRCH Work?
The program works by connecting Bothwell and community partners to the Community Information Exchange (CIE) software from Unite Us, a secure digital tool that streamlines care coordination by sharing resources and securely sending and receiving electronic referrals for services while addressing Medicaid participants’ social needs.
These services may vary and could involve providing transportation to medical appointments or delivering healthy and nutritious food. The system bridges the gap between people and the services intended to assist them.
What Does ToRCH Do?
ToRCH funding enables Bothwell to act as a central community "hub," bringing together partners to implement strategies that address social determinants of health needs and reduce preventable hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
The model involves incentivized goals for enhancing population health within Pettis County offering shared savings for achieving the following:
- Decreased rates of avoidable hospitalization, including readmissions
- Lowered rates of avoidable ED use at the hospital
- Reduced overall hospital use for all Medicaid recipients in the county no matter where the hospitalization occurs
Apply for ToRCH Grant Funds
Community-based organizations are encouraged to apply for ToRCH grant funds for existing or new programs or services that help meet ToRCH goals. Learn more by joining our online information sessions, held on the second Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. For details, meeting links, or to apply, email torch@brhc.org.
In September 2024, the ToRCH Be Well Leadership Board awarded nearly $240,000 to four local community-based organizations.
The ToRCH Be Well Leadership Board
This board, composed of key clinical and community partners, leverages the expertise of its members in community understanding and clinical practice to strategically address health-related social needs services that are anticipated to impact hospital outcomes and community health.
Allison Brosch, Chair
Dean of Health Sciences, State Fair Community College
Rachelle Simon, Vice Chair
Executive Director, Pettis County United Way
Marvin Smoot, Secretary
Vice President of Clinic Operations, Bothwell Regional Health Center
Brandon Ahhee
Community Support Supervisor, Burrell Behavioral Health
Anna Conroy
Residential Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, Sedalia Housing Authority
Justin Cross
Division Chief of Training, Pettis County Ambulance District
Donni Kuck
Vice-President of Regional Corporate Services, Compass Health
Barry Pabst
Director, Benton County Health Department
Angie Thomas
COO, Katy Trail Community Health
Mike Waller
CEO, Katy Trail Community Health
Lori Wightman
CEO, Bothwell Regional Health
Dawn Williams
Mental Health Coordinator, Pettis County Health Center
Michele Laas*
Chief Nursing Officer, Bothwell Regional Health Center
Maggie Schaffer*
Director of Quality, Bothwell Regional Health Center
Leslie Harris*
Director of Population Health, Bothwell Regional Health Center
Elizabeth Green*
ToRCH Program Manager, Bothwell Regional Health Center
Leslie Stevenson*
Population Health Nurse Navigator, Bothwell Regional Health Center
*Non-voting member
How is ToRCH Funded?
Acting as the central community hub, Bothwell Regional Health Center will receive state and federal funds over five years to implement and manage the program. Funding is from the Missouri Department of Social Services and the MO HealthNet Division, which manages the state’s Medicaid health insurance program. The leadership board sets the budget and project priorities.
Becoming a ToRCH Partner
Community-based organizations and health and human services organizations in Pettis County are invited to become a ToRCH partner and help improve community health for the county’s Medicaid population. Check out the benefits and see the list of current partners.