ASPIN, a 501(C) 3 not for profit network that operates four major service lines: third party administration, training and workforce development, health improvement, and grants management. The mission of ASPIN is to provide innovative educational programs, resource management, program development, and network management in collaboration with all healthcare entities to address health disparities and whole health management.
Third Party Administration
ASPIN is accredited by CARF as a Business Network and is audited annually by an independent auditor. ASPIN was created in 1995 as a source for third party contract administration for state funding disbursement to its members. ASPIN continues in this role as it distributes Indiana Managed Care Provider funds, Gambling Provider funds, and Indiana Veteran Behavioral Health Network Telehealth funds.
As a network of behavioral health providers, ASPIN has been an informed guide through state and federal system changes. ASPIN providers receive additional support through clinical review of client records; compilation analysis of performance measures, monthly clinical roundtable peer support, and performance improvement projects in alignment with ASPIN’s mission.
Training and Workforce Development
ASPIN’s second service line is training and workforce development. It supports the recovery of care model by working internally with consumers, providers and state partners such as the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addictions, NAMI, and Mental Health America to provide education and workforce development opportunities. This has been accomplished through the funding of two state contracts specific to workforce development for consumers with a mental health or addiction diagnosis.
The ASPIN Education Network was established in 1999. It is Indiana’s leading behavioral health training provider, training over 1000 clinicians annually on mental health, addictions, case management, supervisory, and management topics for continuing education credits. Trainings are based on the adult learning principles. A leadership webinar series has been developed to assist middle managers deal with the changes in workforce, technology, and healthcare systems.
Custom trainings are also conducted on numerous topics such as disaster preparedness, criminal justice, intellectual disabilities, and cultural competency. Trainings are conducted in person, through webinars, and e-learning products. Training facilitation has been conducted for statewide conferences and webinars with nationally known content experts. For more information regarding ASPIN training offerings, visit www.aspin.org/training
Health Improvement
ASPIN’s third service line is Health Improvement. This service line encompasses Network internal efforts at health promotion and monitoring as well as grant projects focused on health improvement strategies and community capacity building.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Health improvement barriers exist among several underserved minority communities, therefore ASPIN’s strategic initiatives and performance improvement projects include increasing access to healthcare for people of the Hispanic and Latino/a/x and African American/Black communities in Indiana. ASPIN demonstrates this by continuing to develop partnerships with organizations serving underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities; prioritizing Hispanic and Latino/a/x and African American/Black health-disparate communities in recruitment, training, and job placement as Community Health Workers (CHW); providing cultural trainings for Behavioral Health providers, clinicians, and peers; and increasing enrollment and education of Hispanic and Latino/a/x and African American/Black consumers in health insurance to reduce barriers and improve whole health.
The ASPIN Health Navigator Program
The ASPIN Health Navigator Program combines a mobile office model and its partnerships to bring ACA health insurance enrollment opportunities and health insurance literacy efforts into focus in Indiana. The program supports a statewide call center, website, and social media presence. Strategic partners include CMHCs, the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Area Health Education Centers, IRHA, SBA, and the Indiana National Guard to provide outreach and enrollment events throughout the State. The three goals for the program include: 1. Provide eligibility information, enrollment and education about the Marketplace; 2. Provide fair, accurate, and impartial information about qualified health plans (QHP), Medicaid, CHIP-Children’s Health Insurance Plan and HIP-Hoosier Insurance Plan; and 3. Provide public education for individuals to learn about coverage options and enrollment activities with collaborating partners and other community partners. Services are offered free of charge. For more information, visit www.aspinhealthnavigator.org.
Grants Management
Project management services include grant writing, program/grant evaluation, report writing, conference planning and meeting facilitation, financial management, and performance improvement. IT Services include electronic surveys, data collection, website development, information technology support, list serves, forums, and blended learning products.
State Contracts/Grants: ASPIN continues to serve as a fiduciary management of contracts with the state of Indiana. Over the last 25 years ASPIN has managed over 157 million dollars in clinical services contracts and 4.4 million dollars of state professional services contracts.
Federal Grants: ASPIN has been awarded over sixteen HRSA grants totaling over 12.5 million dollars and ten CMS Cooperative Agreements for over six million dollars. Over the last 18 years, ASPIN has been awarded over 19 million dollars in federal and foundation funding to develop and expand innovative programs.