Individuals and families often face challenges when searching for and accessing the care that they need to be healthy. Little coordination between medical, behavioral health and social service organizations can lead to individuals and families having to navigate multiple fragmented systems to find the services they need.
Building a Community Information Exchange
HealthierHere, funded through the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), is creating a Community Information Exchange (CIE) in partnership with Crisis Connections and WAServes to ensure that all people can access the same opportunities for health and wellbeing and experience similar outcomes by eliminating racial, ethnic, socio-economic and geographic disparities. The CIE, named the Connect2 Community Network, will provide centralized, technology-based information and referral services that can help connect individuals with community-based services that provide housing, financial, health and social stability supports. Social service, community, tribal, physical and behavioral health organizations will be able to make and track referrals to each other, connect to other care team members, and more effectively coordinate care.
Based on community feedback, the Connect2 Community Network has prioritized the ability to send and receive referrals electronically. HealthierHere, along with their partners, is supporting the launch of the Unite Us technology that enables its users to send “closed-loop referrals”. Closed-loop referrals improve cross-sector coordination, streamline referrals and information sharing, and allows access to outcome data to inform plans and assess impact.
Participation in the Connect2 Community Network strengthens the Community Information Exchange and continues VSHSL’s combined arms vision of an integrated network of service providers across King County.
Funding to support use of the Unite Us technology
To support organizations that are using the Unite Us technology or are interested in doing so, HealthierHere is launching the Connect2 Community Network Catalyst Fund. The Fund will financially support clinical, behavioral health, tribal health providers, community-based organizations and social service agencies in King County that are using, or are interested in using, the Unite Us technology as part of the Connect2 Community Network.
HealthierHere is seeking applicants interested in working to achieve key milestones related to network use for which they will earn up to $45,000 in funding to achieve these goals within a 12-month period. The work of funded applicants will support the development of the Connect2 Community Network.
Who should apply?
Organizations in King County that meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Connect2 Community Network Catalyst Fund Overview, and:
Are interested in using the Unite Us technology to send and receive referrals in King County
Or Joined the Unite Us platform on or after June 23, 2020.
Applications are due by 5:00 pm PST on January 8, 2021.
For more information and to apply visit HealthierHere’s website.
Interested organizations are invited to a Unite Us information session on December 15, 9 – 10 am. To register.
