Lutheran Services in America

Behavioral health providers are increasingly expected to quantify the impacts of their efforts. Our recent paper “Making Sense of Behavioral Health Measurement” examines what it means for providers working to improve outcomes for people, especially those on Medicaid.

Building on our “Partnering for Impact” guide, the paper looks at the shift toward more outcome-focused, system-level approaches to measurement. Specifically, the report highlights how expectations are evolving from having fragmented metrics to more aligned strategies tied to results and why building “measurement readiness” is becoming essential. Providers that take a phased approach to data measurement improvement will be best positioned to deliver outcomes that matter.

We’ll discuss the details at our next Capitol Conversations webinar on June 18 with a focus on what it will take to improve behavioral health outcomes over the long term. We’re glad to be joined by Health Management Associates’ Joshua Rubin, a co-author of the paper, who will share his perspectives on these shifts.

Read the paper and register for the webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SeSg2UAzQwOm4tWvGOYtAA #/registration

https://lutheranservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LSA_BehavioralHealthMeasurement.pdf

Health challenges are often exacerbated in rural communities where resources are more limited. The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created to help stabilize rural health systems and transform them into more sustainable, community-centered models. Shao Chee Sim of the Episcopal Health Foundation and our own Sue Polis detail what the Fund means as states move to implement it. Pressures from broader Medicaid funding cuts and the fund’s five-year timeframe raise important questions about long-term sustainability. As Shao-Chee and Sue note, nonprofits and community-based organizations will be essential in turning these investments into real improvements in people’s lives. Find out more.

Leveraging the Rural Health Transformation Fund to Improve Access to Care Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.

Today we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, and keep the families and loved ones who carry their memory forward in our thoughts. Day

This week, Lutheran Services in America brought together over 60 leaders from across our network to participate in our Results Network in-person convening for the 2025–2026 year in Chicago. Hosted at Bethel New Life, the gathering marked the final session of this year’s Results Network journey and continued our focus on Results & Workforce: building resilient leaders and strengthening workforce conditions that support prevention outcomes.

Over two days, leaders reflected on their learning, deepened relationships across the network, engaged in peer exchange, heard from community voices, and advanced their Resilience & Results Plans. The convening also offered a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge 10 years of the Results Innovation Lab and the power of doing this work in community!

We are grateful to our participating organizations, partners, facilitators, and host team for helping create a space rooted in reflection, connection, and forward movement.

We are proud to announce Craig Wagoner, COO of our member organization National Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS), as the recipient of our inaugural Servant Leadership Award! NLCS president and CEO Cyndi Walters and our own Ashley Washington presented the award in person today at NLCS’s Village at Orchard Ridge community in Wi******er, Virginia.

This award honors leaders who exemplify humility, compassion and a deep commitment to serving others, and Craig truly reflects that spirit. Through his thoughtful, mission-driven approach, he consistently places people at the center of his work and is a model of faith in action through service. Congratulations, Craig!

On May 21 at 1:00 p.m. ET, join us for Reconciliation 3.0 and What’s Further at Stake for Medicaid, a timely conversation on Congressional efforts around a potential third round of budget reconciliation and what it could mean for the people who rely on Medicaid every day and the providers who support their care.

We’ll break down the likelihood of further action as the House moves toward the midterm elections, and we’ll hear directly from leaders across the Lutheran Services in America network about how they’re working to protect and strengthen Medicaid in their states and districts.

Featured speakers:
• Kate Brady — Co‑Director, Grassroots Project, Human Services Research Institute
• Nick Gwyn — Senior Fellow for Government Affairs, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
• Chris Koenig — President & CEO, Niagara Lutheran Health Care System
• Margaret Nimmo — Chief Strategy Officer, enCircle

Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04hmr8l0

Congress is considering a third budget reconciliation bill that will likely have major ramifications on human services programs. Join our public policy team for the next Capitol Conversations webinar on May 21 to find out what it might mean for Medicaid. We'll also be joined by the HSRI's Kate Brady who will touch on the MAP-It project, which aims to create a public‑facing, accessible policy tracker that translates complex Medicaid actions into clear, usable information that supports disability‑led advocacy and civic engagement at the state level. Register today!

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Capitol Conversation Series. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. Join us for our "Capitol Conversations" webinar series, designed to help our members nationwide stay in the know on new and evolving practices and resources, curating a broad line-up of topics and subject matter expertise. A gathering of the best minds in our space, the series is focused on leveragi...

The people most affected by a system usually know the most about how to fix it. We're taking this to heart by launching our new cohort Transforming Together, which brings together 14 organizations across our network to put the voices of our communities at the center of how decisions are made. With support from Greater Good Studio, these leaders will build skills to gather and use community feedback, tell stories rooted in lived experience, and capture what matters to the people served.

Transforming Together Cohort Starts with Lived Experience Lutheran Services in America leads one of the nation's largest and most respected health and human services networks to empower people in America to lead their best lives—so all communities can thrive.

Our own Alesia Frerichs and Sarah Haight visited Abdul Shakoor, the new president and CEO of our member Lutheran Life Communities, and their COO Amy LaCroix at their campus today in Arlington Heights, Illinois. We want to extend a warm welcome to Abdul to the Lutheran Services in America network!