Cooperative Agreement NU58DP007971

Quality Health Associates of North Dakota (QHA) received a $403,937 Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion under the Organized Approaches to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening program (CFDA 93.800), awarded August 30, 2025, with a completion date of August 29, 2030. QHA will implement evidence-based interventions to increase colorectal cancer screening rates among underserved populations in North Dakota, with particular emphasis on American Indian communities and patients served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).

Under this cooperative agreement, QHA will partner with the lowest-performing FQHC in North Dakota and two tribal clinics in Year 1, expanding to 3-5 additional FQHCs and tribal clinics annually in subsequent years. Key deliverables include implementation of provider and patient reminders, reduction of structural barriers to screening, and patient navigation services. QHA will provide technical assistance utilizing quality improvement methodology, conduct comprehensive readiness assessments, develop clinic-specific action plans, and deliver on-site coaching and support through frequent site visits and coaching calls. The program aims to enhance screening prevalence, prevent colorectal cancers, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and decrease colorectal cancer mortality within the target populations.