Maximizing Public Sector Budgets with Key Operational Strategies

Erica Gregory, VP/GM, Revenue Operations, Netsmart
Carol Reynolds, Executive Strategist, Public Sector, Netsmart
Danielle Ross, CIO, Information Technology, Netsmart

COVID-19 has and continues to impact healthcare across the country, especially for public sector organizations. Many leaders are taking a closer look at operations to stretch their hard-hit budgets and do more with less. According to a recent study from NRI and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the following are just a few pandemic-related data points impacting operations…

68% of all state mental health agencies experienced workforce shortages
Telephone encounters increased by 365%
Broadband access replaced transportation as the primary obstacle to care

In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Carol Reynolds, executive strategist for public sector at Netsmart, talked with Netsmart virtual CIO Danielle Ross and vice president of revenue cycle management operations Erica Gregory.

Here's what was discussed in the episode:

How recent data is shifting operations
The biggest operational challenges for public sector organizations
Top operations management advice for strategic planning and creating operational health in your organization

This discussion with Carol Reynolds, Erica Gregory, and Danielle Ross was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads.

If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.

You might also enjoy

Voices of Care The Origins of Community-Based Care | CareThreads | Netsmart

How We Got Here: The Origins of Community-Based Care

Kevin Scalia, Strategic Advisor, Netsmart

Scott Green, SVP and Managing Director, CareDimensions, Netsmart

October 02, 2025

Why is having a voice in Washington D.C. so important to Netsmart and the clients and communities we serve? In the premiere of "Voices of Care," Kevin Scalia, a 30-year champion for community-based care, recounts his advocacy journey and the collaborations formed to influence healthcare policy. From battling regulations to building coalitions, he reveals key strategies and pivotal moments. Discover how these past efforts in data sharing and interoperability are now laying the foundation for a future where AI transforms healthcare.

Voices of Care with Kevin Scalia | CareThreads | Netsmart

Welcome to Voices of Care

Kevin Scalia, Strategic Advisor, Netsmart

September 30, 2025

In this introductory episode, Kevin Scalia, strategic advisor and longtime advocate in the healthcare IT landscape, describes the importance of being a voice for community-based care in building a connected, person-centered system of care and previews what’s coming in future episodes.

From Guidelines to Success: The Impact of Standard Operating Procedures in Hospice, Including the HOPE Tool

Maria Warren, Vice President Post-Acute Strategy & Alignment, Netsmart
Diana Franchitto, President & CEO, HopeHealth

April 15, 2025

With the Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) tool set to go live on October 1st, hospice providers are facing a transformative shift in documentation and patient evaluation. In this episode, we explore what it takes to successfully implement HOPE, without disrupting care delivery. Diana Franchitto, a hospice center president and CEO, shares how her organization is navigating the transition by leveraging structured operating procedures, a dedicated task force and a clear implementation timeline. From regulatory compliance to operational challenges, we break down the steps every provider should consider to stay on track.