Integrated Care: A Model for Strengthening Protective Factors
We often talk about integrated care in terms of intersecting challenges—the overlapping crises of poverty, mental illness, substance use disorder, criminal justice involvement, food insecurity, homelessness, and so on. These challenges are deeply linked to the social determinants of health, well-researched factors that we know, if addressed early, can set individuals and communities up for long-term success; if left to erode, can create generational erosion.
But what if, instead of only discussing the interconnected challenges, we focused on the interconnected protective factors?
The Power of Protective Factors
Protective factors are the conditions, relationships, and personal strengths that help buffer individuals from adversity. Research consistently shows that these include:
What’s fascinating about these protective factors is that some are tangible and external—like social support networks—while others are intrinsic and mindset-driven—like optimism, resilience, and a sense of self-efficacy.
This distinction is critical because it means that, while we must continue to address external systemic challenges, we can simultaneously strengthen internal protective factors to help mitigate their impact.
This is a game-changer.
It means that even in environments of poverty, trauma, and systemic inequities, strengthening protective factors can literally shield individuals from the worst effects of these challenges.
And that’s where integrated care comes in.
How RS EDEN’s Integrated Care Model Strengthens Protective Factors
At RS EDEN , we don’t just provide services—we build resilience. Our integrated care model is designed to center the human being and wrap holistic services around them in a way that creates stability, fosters healing, and strengthens protective factors.
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Through housing support, mental health services, substance use treatment, peer support, medical care, and case management, our team works side-by-side to scaffold protective factors for every individual we serve. Our goal is that when a participant leaves RS EDEN, they are not just stabilized—they are strengthened. Their protective factors are solid, their sense of control is restored, and they are better equipped to weather any future challenges.
Why This Approach Matters
In traditional models, services are siloed. Someone might enter the system for mental health care, only to realize they also need housing—but that housing is a separate system, requiring new applications, new providers, and new barriers to access. This fragmented approach erodes protective factors, draining resilience and stamina as people fight to navigate disconnected services.
At RS EDEN, we flip this model on its head. The person drives their care—not the program. Instead of making participants chase services across a fractured system, we bring services to them. We meet people where they are, integrate what they need, and walk alongside them on their journey to healing and stability.
Building a Future of Strength, Not Just Stability
Integrated care isn’t just about treating conditions—it’s about building people up. It’s about recognizing that while external challenges are real, protective factors are powerful, and by focusing on both, we can create lasting change.
Our mission at RS EDEN is to create thriving, just communities where healing occurs and new beginnings are possible. And protective factors are at the heart of that mission.
When we support protective factors, we don’t just help people survive. We help them thrive.
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