What is Community Information Exchange (CIE)?
Community information exchange (CIE) is a network of collaborative partners using a multidirectional technology platform to connect people to the services and supports they need.
- Partners may include human and social service, healthcare, and other organizations.
- Technology functions must include closed loop referrals, a shared resource directory, and informed consent.
CIE networks are foundational elements to building a more equitable system in Oregon. Connecting health care and social services sectors across Oregon supports meaningful efforts to address social determinants of health in communities impacted by historical and current structural disparities. When people's needs are met, such as housing, food, and transportation, health outcomes improve. CIE enables healthcare and social service organizations to coordinate more efficiently to address these needs and can help address health equity at multiple levels in Oregon.
To learn more about CIE see:
Related OHA Initiatives
The Office of Health IT & Analytics Infrastructure monitors the community information exchange (CIE) landscape, provides educational information, and analyzes strategies that can support CIE efforts in Oregon.
CIE Workgroup
The CIE Workgroup was
chartered by the Health Information Technology Oversight Council (HITOC) under House Bill 4150 (2022) to provide recommendations on strategies to accelerate, support, and improve statewide CIE in Oregon. The CIE Workgroup recommendations, community-based organization (CBO) perspectives, and HITOC comment are reflected in the
House Bill 4150 Final Report: Supporting Statewide Community Information Exchange, submitted to the legislature January 2023. The Workgroup met monthly March through November 2022 and has concluded meeting.
For more information visit the CIE Workgroup website.
CIE Landscape
CIE efforts are developing across Oregon, largely sponsored by Medicaid coordinated care organizations (CCOs), health systems, and health plans. Community partners, including CBOs, clinics, local public health departments (LPHAs), and others participate in these efforts throughout the state. At this time, OHA is not a participant in CIE.
There are two main CIE efforts in Oregon - Connect Oregon (powered by Unite Us) and findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha, also known locally as Healthy Klamath Connect).
For more information on availability of sponsored CIE efforts see the
Oregon CIE Maps.
Past CIE work in Oregon
CIE Webinar
On April 29, 2021 OHA held a webinar on CIE. We explored what CIE is and how it may be valuable. Community representatives from AllCare CCO, Project Access Now, Cascade Health Alliance, and Sky Lakes Medical Center shared their experiences using CIE, including successes and challenges. To learn more about the webinar see the slides and
recording.
HIT Commons
OHA funded efforts by the HIT Commons to monitor the environment and convene partners to align on future activities. Work included:
CIE for COVID
CIE can be used by interested CBOs, LPHAs, and Tribes to coordinate wraparound and social services support for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. Joining a CIE is voluntary and not required under the COVID-19 Grants for Community Based Organizations. To learn more about this effort see our OHA CIE Flyer (Español).