Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) recently released a new brief that outlines strategies for better collaboration between health care and human services organizations.
Because health care costs continue to increase without improving the overall health and longevity of our population, health care policy leaders and others are beginning to recognize the critical importance of the social determinants of health, factors that include housing, education, neighborhood safety, and access to health care. This increased focus on the social determinants is creating opportunities for human services organizations to partner with health care entities because they have extensive experience and expertise in addressing these conditions.
Read this brief for a primer on health care financing, actionable steps for preparing for collaboration with health systems, recommendations for policy action, and a glossary of key terms. It focuses on:
- What this raised interest in addressing the social determinants of heath care means for human services organizations
- How Medicaid and other sources in the health care system can begin to pay for human services
- How human services community-based organization can partner productively with heath care organizations to better serve participants
- How to begin and get engaged in this process
- Policy recommendations for accelerating this work
The brief also features a spotlight on the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, which includes Alliance for Strong Families and Communities member Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services in Milwaukee. Through its Community Services programs, the hospital system partners with residents, community agencies, health care providers, and families to improve health and well-being.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Community Services participated in the Alliance’s brain science initiative Change in Mind and has since been working with EMPath to receive training in its Mobility Mentoring model, which uses brain science to increase mobility from poverty.
Learn More about Brain Science and Improving Health
EMPath is led by President and CEO Beth Babcock, who was a recent guest on the Alliance’s podcast More than Health Care: A Community Heath Conversation. Listen to her episode to learn what brain science has taught us about the impact of people’s environments and life experiences on their physical health, social, and emotional well-being.
The More than Health Care podcast is presented by the Alliance, Beech Acres Parenting Center, and Ascentria Care Alliance. Listen for the latest on best practices, policy, and opportunities for integration and innovation.