Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Coordinator

About the position The CDC Foundation is seeking a dependable and collaborative Rooted in Health (RIH) Initiative Coordinator to support the Kentucky Department for Public Health in the RIH initiative, which focuses on expanding dental workforce capacity, implementing teledentistry infrastructure, and improving oral health access through innovative delivery models. RIH is one of the five new initiatives launching under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a statewide effort to strengthen rural health access and outcomes. This role will help translate RHTP’s broader vision into effective, on the ground implementation for RIH’s oral health focus. The RIH Initiative Coordinator is a member of the A3 Transformation Team (Aspire → Activate → Attain), which functions as RHTP’s central “nerve center†for disciplined execution across all five initiatives. The current work environment is primarily hybrid (2-3 days a week in office). This role may require statewide travel.

Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of RIH’s implementation plan, working closely with the RIH Initiative Lead
• Coordinate logistics for statewide and local activities, including training sessions, stakeholder meetings, and site visits
• Develop and maintain program tracking mechanisms, such as initiative calendars, task trackers, and progress dashboards
• Prepare status reports, briefing documents, and presentations for leadership to support compliance with CMS requirements
• Assist with procurement and distribution of supplies and technology for mobile and teledental programs
• Serve as a primary point of contact for initiative partners, responding to inquiries and facilitating collaboration
• Draft and distribute communication materials, newsletters, and updates for internal and external stakeholders
• Support planning and facilitation of oral health convenings, workgroups, and advisory sessions, including agenda development and documentation
• Maintain stakeholder contact lists and engagement records to promote consistent outreach and follow-up
• Collect and organize data for initiative Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and performance dashboards
• Assist data validation, quality checks, and reporting workflows, facilitating data accuracy and timeliness
• Collaborate with the RHT Quality & Evaluation Lead to compile metrics for CMS reporting and internal reviews
• Recommend continuous improvement strategies based on data insights and stakeholder feedback
• Coordinate workforce expansion activities, including dental hygiene program accreditation and rural externship programs
• Work with the Teledental Hub Coordinator to support teledental hub operations, including staff onboarding, integration with satellite clinics, and technology requirements
• Assist development of operational toolkits and resource guides for LHDs, academic institutions, and other partners
• Support onboarding and training processes for initiative staff and partners, including scheduling and materials preparation

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health policy, health administration, dental hygiene, or related field
• 3+ years’ of experience in program coordination, healthcare operations, or public health administration, preferably in oral health or rural health settings
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, including scheduling, logistics, and stakeholder engagement
• Strong data management and reporting skills, with experience in compiling performance metrics and supporting compliance requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications

Nice-to-haves

• Advanced degree in public health, health policy, health administration or related field
• Experience with rural health systems and culturally responsive engagement strategies
• Understanding of teledentistry platforms, health IT interoperability standards, and mobile care delivery models
• Certification in quality improvement or healthcare management (e.g., CPHQ, PMP)
• Familiarity with Kentucky’s public health ecosystem, rural community needs, and social determinants of health

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