Newsflash ? How Unite Us and Acenda are Transforming Community Health Outcomes in New Jersey
We couldn’t close out #CommunityHealthWorkersWeek without one last spotlight on the incredible work we’ve done in New Jersey with our partners at Acenda Integrated Health through the state’s Community Health Worker (CHW) Hub.
?? What is the Community Health Worker Hub?
Led by Acenda Integrated Health and sponsored by the NJ Department of Health , the Community Health Worker Hub highlights and expands the value of CHWs through targeted training and funding, advocating for increased support for the CHW workforce in New Jersey.?
Since October 2023, more than 20 Community Health Workers in the CHW Hub have served community members across 10 counties, focusing on food insecurity, housing, shelter, and benefits navigation.?
?? Listen to Dr. Monica Lallo, Ed.D., M.P.M., M.P.A. , Sr. Vice President Sr. VP of Prevention, Youth, and Education Services, describe the CHW Hub and what their work entails.
?? Who are Community Health Workers?
The American Public Health Association (APHA) defines CHWs as frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have an unusually close understanding of the community served.
?? Community health workers can act as patient navigators, health educators, advocates, resource connectors, outreach coordinators, and peer supporters. They go by many names and wear many hats, but they have a shared mission: to help individuals in their communities access the resources they need.
?? Listen to Sydney Garnes , Project Manager for the Hub’s southern region, describe the numerous ways CHWs work with the community.
??? What Role Does Technology Play in Improving Service Delivery and Efficiency?
Technology plays a critical role in training and employing CHWs and enables greater efficiency for them in the field.?
With #SDoH screening tools, closed-loop referral technology, and data dashboards that provide actionable insights to inform future SDOH strategies, Unite Us’ infrastructure helps CHWs more efficiently identify and address needs, close clinical gaps, and reduce health disparities.?
?? Listen to Jessica Whittle, MA. , Learning Management Systems Coordinator, discuss the crucial role technology has in improving the efficiency of CHWs in the field.?
?? How Does Outcome Data Help Improve Community Health?
Outcome data plays a crucial role in enhancing community health by providing tangible evidence of the efficacy of various health interventions and programs. By analyzing data on health outcomes—such as reduced disease incidence, improved access to care, or better health behaviors—communities can identify which strategies are working and which are not.
Unite Us provides critical outcome data that can inform statewide strategies for addressing SDoH and reducing health disparities. With CHWs on the ground documenting community needs, Unite Us paints a robust picture of impact and gaps, enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation.?
?? Listen to Dr. Ayodeji Oyedeji, Project Manager for the Hub’s northern region, discuss how outcomes tracking is pivotal for informing future intervention strategies.
?? How has the CHW Hub Improved Health Outcomes Across New Jersey?
The Hub’s 21 health workers achieved a 75% resolution rate for managed cases, addressing critical health-related social needs (#HRSN) across 10 counties. The Hub also exceeded the NJDOH grant goal by 120% in its first nine months, underscoring the Hub's efficiency and the crucial role CHWs play in addressing HRSNs across communities.
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Using data from the Unite Us Platform, CHWs can easily identify and track the most pressing needs impacting community members across New Jersey, painting a robust picture of impact and gaps and enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation. Based on the percentage of referrals made and reported by Unite Us, the top three needs addressed were:
?? Food Assistance (54%)
?? Housing and Shelter (19%)
?? Benefits Navigation (11%)
?? Listen to Josephine Awadalla, MPH , Project Manager for the Hub’s central region, share an impact story that resonates with her.
What are the Future Goals of the Hub? How Is Unite Us Supporting Those Goals?
?? The Acenda Integrated Health team wants to continue:?
?? Unite Us provides the infrastructure and expertise to support these goals, providing:
?? Listen to Dr. Monica Lallo sum up the Hub’s success, upcoming initiatives, and her excitement for the future with Unite Us.
?? Meet the Acenda Integrated Health Team:
?? Dr. Monica Lallo, Ed.D., M.P.M., M.P.A. ?? Sr. VP of Prevention, Youth, and Education Services Acenda Integrated Health
?? Dr. Ayodeji Oyedeji ?? Senior Project Manager (Northern Region; Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren Counties)
?? Josephine Awadalla, MPH ?? Project Manager (Central Region; Middlesex, Hunterdon, Mercer Somerset and Union Counties)
?? Sydney Garnes ?? Project Manager (Southern Region; Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties)
?? Jessica Whittle ?? Learning Systems Coordinator (Statewide)