Programs

The Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute, a program of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, held an event exploring the strategic and operational aspects of creating effective cross-sector partnerships between community-based social service organizations and health care providers. In recognition of the importance of social determinants of health on the overall health and well-being of populations, MassHealth's Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model has incorporated explicit goals aimed at fostering coordination and integration of health-related social services. The event featured discussion to help identify best practices that may be translatable to the developing MassHealth ACOs.

This event, in collaboration with the Center for Health Care Strategies, showcased three such partnerships: 1) the Henry Ford Health System and the Ruth Ellis Center working together to provide a range of social services including meals, peer supports, and short-term housing, in addition to primary and preventive care to LGBTQ youth in Detroit, Michigan; 2) a partnership between the city of Central Falls, Rhode Island, a local community health center, Memorial Hospital, the YMCA, and the Department of Parks and Recreation aimed at creating a Neighborhood Health Station, a one-stop shop for all health needs, including related social services; and 3) a partnership between Providence Healthcare and Catholic Charities of Spokane, Washington to operate the Respite Program at the House of Charity for individulas with acute conditions who are experiencing homelessness.