Where you live shouldn’t impact your options and opportunity to live a happy, healthy life.
About NCRHA
Membership
Resources
NCRHA advocates for health access and equity for every North Carolinian, regardless of who they are or where they live.
Better Health Begins at Home
Nearly 40 percent of North Carolinians call a rural community home. Building a healthy North Carolina can only happen when those communities have the power to drive decision-making around solutions to the most pressing needs they face. NCRHA exists to listen, learn, and help communities lead toward a healthier future for everyone, regardless of zip code.
Invested in Supporting Rural Health
NCRHA is a collaborative network of associations, organizations, and individuals representing healthcare, education, economic development, local government, and a variety of other stakeholders invested in supporting rural health. The organization and its membership are committed to amplifying the voice of North Carolina’s rural communities, helping foster a movement to improve the health and well-being of all citizens.
Who We Are
The North Carolina Rural Health Association (NCRHA) is the official state affiliate of the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), led by the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI). Our extensive membership network includes organizations and individuals committed to advancing health equity and access to care by amplifying the voices of our vibrant rural communities.
NCRHA serves as a single organizer to connect, foster, share, advocate, and offer a unified voice that promotes better rural health outcomes for the people who call rural North Carolina home.
Building a healthy North Carolina can only happen when we amplify the voice of uniquely rural communities. We exist to listen, learn, and lead a movement that keeps rural health at the forefront of every conversation about our state’s health.
Our Story
FHLI was founded in 1982 by James D. Bernstein, who demonstrated a lifelong dedication to improving the health and wellness of North Carolina’s rural communities. Building on his legacy, the organization houses NCRHA, which hosts a collaborative network of associations, organizations, and individuals invested in supporting rural health.
The Community Voice Approach
NCRHA applies FHLI’s Community Voice approach, based on human-centered design principles, in our work to build a healthier North Carolina. In addition to centering and uplifting rural community voices in all our work, we advocate for system-level changes that will enable all our communities to have their own seats at their own decision-making tables.
Resources
North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot
We publish an annual North Carolina Rural Health Snapshot that compiles data on statewide rural demographics, rural health, and health care infrastructure. This comprehensive report is a resource for anyone advocating for rural communities, health equity, and access to care. It identifies opportunities for North Carolina to improve how our public health system serves our rural population by outlining differences, disparities, and strengths of underserved North Carolina communities.
Hurricane Helene Relief
Our hearts go out to everyone experiencing the destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. At FHLI, we are extremely grateful to be able to report that our staff in the western part of the state are safe. Regardless, we are with countless people everywhere...
RELEASE: Associations Amplify Policy Priorities for Rural Communities
Three groups representing oral health, behavioral health, and rural health concerns engaged elected officials and encouraged policy action to advance health equity in North Carolina RALEIGH – A standing-room-only crowd joined three Foundation for Health Leadership and...
Medicaid Expansion Takes Effect in North Carolina
Medicaid Expansion finally took effect statewide on December 1st, 2023, thanks to over a decade of advocacy by countless organizations and individuals. All of us here at the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation (FHLI) are thrilled to see this important...
Become an NCRHA Member
Neither your race nor zip code should drive your health. Join NCRHA to advocate for whole-person, whole-community rural health!
NCRHA brings together a diverse network of partners, including students, community- and faith-based organizations, statewide associations, educational institutions, government representatives, and corporations dedicated to advancing rural health through advocacy, collaboration, and education.
As an association member, you will connect and network with fellow statewide advocates to amplify your work, keep rural health at the center of the conversation, and advocate for systems-level change.
Member Benefits
NCRHA has engaged in a thorough re-evaluation of membership benefits in 2023 and 2024. Membership benefits will continue to grow and evolve. Current benefits include:
- Professional Development: Peer mentor-mentee opportunities, private LinkedIn group, NRHA webinars, resources, and annual conferences, opportunities to advocate on Capitol Hill through the annual NRHA Policy Institute, and more
- Networking: Member-only virtual and in-person opportunities to connect with other health care professionals and advocates
- Voting: Vote on operational documents, Road to 2025 Policy Priorities, and other organizational decisions
- Engagement: Quarterly membership meetings*, work group participation, recognition on NCRHA website, and exclusive NRHA state affiliate news
- Event Discounts: Including FHLI’s Annual Bernstein Event, the NC Rural Center’s Rural Summit, and more
* NCRHA quarterly meetings are open to any party interested in participating. Paid membership includes additional benefits, including voting power and access to additional perks and resources.
Membership Types
All prices are for annual memberships.
Companies and Organizations
Staff size <26: $500
26 – 100 staff: $1,000
101+ staff: $2,250
Community-Based Organizations
$200
Individuals
$50
Students and Retirees
$25
Membership Policy
- Core NCRHA membership includes nonprofits and government organizations addressing rural health issues in North Carolina.
- Each member organization designates one representative as a voting NCRHA member. They can also designate alternate representatives to vote in the primary voting member’s absence.
- In addition to designating its voting and alternate voting members, a member organization may list an unlimited number of other organizational representatives to receive NCRHA announcements and participate in NCRHA work groups.
- All paid members may vote at membership meetings, serve on the steering committee, and participate in all work groups.
Please note: all organizational and individual members get one vote on any NCRHA matter brought before the entire membership. To maintain balance among membership, if multiple individuals from the same organization register as individual members, they will be limited to one vote across their entire group.
Membership Registration Process
- To become an NCRHA member, please register and pay your annual dues.
- Membership is open to any organization, business, agency, nonprofit, or individual that supports the vision, mission, purpose, and principles of NCRHA.
- Membership renews every year on June 31.
- Sponsorships may be available for eligible network members, and hardship provisions may be available for those unable to pay annual membership dues. Contact us if you need assistance with NCRHA membership.
NCRHA Work Groups
NCRHA work groups foster network- and community-based collaboration to drive rural health solutions. All members have the opportunity to join any NCRHA work group.
Health Equity
Provides advice, guidance, and recommendations to advance health equity in underserved communities, including creating social and physical environments that promote good health for all in rural North Carolina.
Chair: Bridgett Luckey, MHA, Manager of Uninsured Programs, Vidant Health
Behavioral Health
Convenes individuals and organizations working in behavioral health, including substance use/addiction, focused on access, quality, affordability, co-occurrence, social stressors, and the COVID-19 Pandemic’s ongoing impact in rural communities
Chair: Open
Policy and Legislation
Raises health issues affecting rural communities within the group and monitors actions of the NC General Assembly as they pertain to rural health throughout our state, including assisting staff with developing an annual legislative agenda
Chair: Open
Upcoming Events
Save the date for the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation’s 2024 Annual Bernstein Event
October 2, 2024
6 p.m.
UNC Friday Center
More information coming soon!