HealthConnect July Updates
Each month, we share important updates from the HealthConnect Hub as part of our monthly bulletin. This month, we are excited to introduce a new staff member, and share important updates on two of our programs.
Welcome HealthConnect Community Engagement Manager
SWACH welcomes Mercedes Zahler as our new HealthConnect Community Engagement Manager! Mercedes started at SWACH on Tuesday, July 11th. Mercedes comes to SWACH with an extensive community engagement and equity work background. Mercedes will be working with SWACH and HealthConnect Partners to address the priorities of the HealthConnect Hub, including: 1) developing and supporting community-based workforce development and networking opportunities. 2) developing referral networks to support equity and access to community-based care coordination. 3) supporting opportunities for community engagement and community feedback to improve HealthConnect, such as the Health Connect Advisory Council and subcommittees. 4) and more!
PATCH - Pilot Program
HealthConnect is thrilled to announce a new Pilot project with PeaceHealth SW Medical Center focused on training and supporting community health workers and hospital staff on how to work together to support the holistic needs of pathways clients who are experiencing hospitalization through the discharge process and integration back into the community. The current partners participating in this pilot are Outsiders Inn and Share.
More information bout the program is available on our website.
CareConnect WA
On June 30th, 2023 CareConnect Washington program ended. CareConnect Washington was a COVID-19 community response initiative. In 28 months (March 2021 - June 2023), This program received 4,663 referrals from the Department of Health and was able to enroll *3,586 households! This program was able to support households through COVID response by filling over 3,300+ grocery orders and providing over 2,700+ housing and rental assistance!
On behalf of the team at SWACH we would like to extend our gratitude to the 12+ community health workers and the five community partner organizations who worked tirelessly to make this program such a success!
A more in-depth review of the program is available on our website.
Community-Based Workforce Sponsorship Committee
The SWACH Community Based Workforce Sponsorship Committee is sending 16 Community-Based Workers from 10 partner organizations to the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) 2023 Annual Unity conference in Austin, Texas August 3rd – 6th. The theme of this year’s conference is: “Community Health Workers: The Workforce We Need for the World We Want”. The community-based health workers come from 10 partner organizations including: WAGAP, Youth and Family Link, Council for the Homeless, Outsiders Inn, The Next Door, Recovery Café, SeaMar Community Health Center, Odyssey World International Education Services, Lifeline Connections, and Share.
To learn more about the Community Based Workforce Sponsorship Committee and future opportunities, contact us at info@southwestach.org.
