Is 2021 over yet?

We’ve had an inspiring year at Hickman Strategies – tackling challenging problems, partnering with visionary clients, and engaging in meaningful work – and we are excited about what’s ahead in 2022. Here is a brief roundup of what we’ve accomplished with our clients in 2021:

California Health Care Innovation Fund & Collective Medical – Deploying a technology enabled Bridge to MAT Program

Tragically, America’s other epidemic, opioid use disorder, gained ground during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Hickman Strategies’ year-long project with CHCF Innovations and Collective Medical culminated with the launch of Collective's EDIE platform’s expansion to support the California Bridge Program to community-based Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program. Streamlining patient access to MAT at Sacramento and Monterey area Emergency Departments, this approach aligns with the upcoming 2022 implementation of CalAIM, California’s Medicaid waiver that includes a focus on high-utilizer populations with substance use disorder.

Harmony Health & Blue Shield of California COVID Vaccine Equity Program

Early in the pandemic, it became clear that quick, easy distribution of COVID information from a trusted source, shared in a personalized, localized manner, was one of the most effective strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and disinformation.

To address this growing need, Hickman Strategies partnered with the digital platform company, Harmony Health. Harmony Health’s communications tools help local health plans and hospital systems to partner with community and faith-based organizations to organize, amplify, and increase their community outreach efforts.

Hickman Strategies is advising Harmony Health on its product, growth, and go to market strategies. Earlier this year, Blue Shield of California selected Harmony Health to support its COVID-19 vaccination campaign focusing on underserved communities. Harmony Health is working with community-based organizations to bridge both the trust and digital divide and find new ways to address health inequities laid bare by the stressors of the COVID pandemic.

Adventist Health – Bringing Well Being to Rural Northern and Central California

The COVID-19 pandemic is testing our collective resolve and challenging our efforts to maintain a sense of well-being. The vital links between families and their local economic, health, and social supports have been upended during this crisis.

In October 2020, Adventist Health, a vital hospital system in rural northern and central California launched its Well-Being Division to promote community well-being with the simple goal of helping individuals and communities to Live Better Longer.

Given these turbulent times, Hickman Strategies worked with the Well-Being Division leadership team to focus on a few key initiatives that are springboards for future growth and innovation. In 2021, Adventist Health piloted trauma-informed care practices and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) screening. Looking ahead to 2022, we are excited to continue our partnership with Adventist Health to help them combine these new competencies with its Lake County integrated model of care and Blue Zones? framework to bring greater health and well-being, leveraging California’s CalAIM Medi-Cal waiver for rural northern and central California.

First 5 Alameda County – Strategic Planning in a time of Urgency and Opportunity

In early 2021, Hickman Strategies was selected through a competitive RFP process to assist First 5 Alameda County in updating its five-year strategic plan. We are excited to continue our work with First 5 Alameda County in 2022 to complete its strategic blueprint that seeks to more directly address the community conditions that have perpetuated systemic discrimination and racial and economic injustice for children ages 0-5 and their families. Check out their latest annual report here.

Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs

We are celebrating our seventh year of partnership and collaboration with the Camden Coalition and its National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs to ensure individuals receive whole-person care, rooted in authentic healing relationships. We look forward to supporting the Putting Care at the Center Conference taking place in Sacramento, CA, in September 2002.

We hope you have a joyous and peaceful holiday season and thank you for your partnership and support!