2026 CHNA Implementation Strategy

2026 2028 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OVERVIEW

The CHNA is the foundational basis for a three-year community benefit implementation strategy (“IS”) designed to better coordinate and further develop Children’s general community-based e‡orts in support of improved child health and wellbeing. Children’s serves a geographically broad primary service area across Alabama, as defined in the CHNA. Patient origin data demonstrates that approximately 70% of discharges and visits originate from a multi-county

region that is not tightly clustered around the Birmingham campus.

Primary Service Area

Geographic Scope and Resource Allocation

Because Children’s of Alabama serves a geographically broad pediatric population, with patients originating from every county in Alabama and a primary service area that extends well beyond the Birmingham metropolitan region and the needs identified in the CHNA are not confined to one county or community, Children’s will use a layered implementation approach that combines statewide reach, regional partnerships, and targeted investments in communities with elevated need or high patient utilization. Children’s will prioritize resources based on a combination of patient origin data, CHNA findings, community input, program capacity, existing partnerships, and demonstrated barriers to care. This approach recognizes that some strategies are appropriately statewide, such as poison prevention, tele-mental health consultation, school nurse education, and injury prevention messaging, while others may be targeted to counties or regions with higher patient volume, rural access barriers, pediatric provider shortages, transportation challenges, or elevated safety risks. Implementation e‡orts will be reviewed annually to assess geographic reach, alignment with identified needs, and opportunities to adjust partnerships or outreach based on emerging data.

Layer

Purpose

Examples

Statewide Reach

Programs available to children, families, schools, and providers across Alabama

APIC, PATHS, PIRC, HESC digital education, school nurse training

Collaborations with providers, schools, hospitals, and community organizations in high-need or high-volume regions

COACHES, Kid One Transport, rural hospital partnerships, school trainings, community health events

Regional Partnerships

Focused work in communities with elevated need, access barriers, or strong alignment with CHNA priorities

Black Belt outreach, rural pediatric deserts, high-volume referral counties, firearm safety events, abuse prevention education

Targeted Local Investment

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY