About TACHI

Texas Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (TACHI) was initiated to grow the adoption of the Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) framework within Texas. ACH is an evolving and flexible framework that creates the conditions where  cross-sector partners can collaborate to improve community health and achieve greater health equity on a sustainable basis. The ACH framework has shown to positively impact health in other states, like California. TACHI aims to support the development and evolution within Texas. 

After learning about ACH over the span of a year, six Texas communities made a commitment to adopting the framework. While the sites share a commitment to health equity and addressing their communities pressing health needs, the six sites differ in their approach to the framework, the assets that they bring, and the communities they serve.  

To create a new paradigm that values cross-sector partnerships and health equity, sites need support. Through TACHI, site partners receive a unique and place-centered toolbox of support, including technical assistance, learning opportunities, and flexible funding. 

Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) launched TACHI in 2020 with an $8 million multi-year investment. The intent was to learn alongside community partners, respond to what is learned in each site, and identify how the ACH framework could result in financially sustainable strategies to address non-medical drivers of health that improve health outcomes and move us toward health equity. 

Over the course of two years, St. David’s Foundation has invested $1 million in funding for TACHI and has contributed as an important thought-partner in advancing the ACH framework in Texas. Other funders and health care organizations are investing directly in the sites. 

What are Accountable Communities for Health?

ACHs serve as a local platform for bringing stakeholders and community residents together to transform systems to improve community health and achieve greater equity on a sustainable basis. ACHs are not a “one-time” intervention based solely around a health care delivery system.

The process by which communities embrace a multi-sector approach to population health varies by community. As a result, standing up ACHs requires genuine community leadership, intentionality, resources, technical assistance, and opportunities to learn from each other.