As a PCLC, BCN provides technical expertise and mentorship to organizations developing or expanding palliative care programs across the U.S. BCN is one of eight leadership centers and the only hospice organization in the U.S. that is also part of PCLC. Since 2004, BCN has trained and mentored more than 270 healthcare organizations from 40 states. 

“Bluegrass Care Navigators is proud to support organizations in advancing palliative care programs,” Turner West, Vice President of Health and Policy Strategy at BCN and lead BCN faculty with PCLC, said. “Being part of the PCLC initiative has not only allowed us to share our learnings with other organizations, but it has also provided unique insights for us as we hear the ways others approach palliative care in their communities.” 

In 2003, CAPC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established a network of Palliative Care Leadership Centers. These centers are nationally recognized centers of excellence and provide training in a variety of areas, including team skills and complex program design. Health care organizations can choose to train at the leadership center that is the best fit for them based on their stage of program development and growth, as well as their goals. As part of the program, organizations receive assessment tools, customized training and a full year of mentoring designed to meet that organization's specific challenges and needs. 

BCN is a national leader in delivering high-quality care and a pioneer in developing new programs that respond to the evolving needs of seriously ill patients and their families. BCN provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky, as well as specialized care for aging Kentuckians including palliative care, PACE, home health, transitional and grief care. BCN offers guidance on effective strategies for building hospital-hospice partnerships, insight into opportunities for palliative care in a value-based healthcare delivery system, best practices on serving a largely rural population, and more. 

 "The demand for palliative care services has increased exponentially, so it remains vitally important that we continue to build and expand successful, sustainable palliative care programs. We are grateful for Bluegrass Care Navigators’ work as a Palliative Care Leadership Center. For two decades, they have played a crucial role in providing a necessary foundation of practical knowledge and coaching for so many new and growing palliative care teams," said Brynn Bowman, chief executive officer at CAPC. 

PCLC is part of the Center to Advance Palliative Care and uses their proven training methods, coupled with the unique experience that each leadership center offers, to provide customized training and mentoring for palliative care programs of every setting, size and stage. CAPC is a national organization dedicated to increasing the availability of quality, equitable healthcare for people living with a serious illness. As the nation’s leading resource in its field, CAPC provides healthcare professionals and organizations with the training, tools and technical assistance necessary to effectively meet this need. To learn more about PCLC or to apply visit capc.org/pclc