AtlantiCare, in an effort to address and solve for social drivers of health, announced this week that it is partnering with Unite Us and will join the Unite New Jersey network to expand how it sends and receives secure, electronic referrals; addresses social needs; and improves health across communities.
Together, AtlantiCare and Unite Us said, they are aiming to anticipate and address unmet needs and enhance the overall well-being of individuals, families and communities throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Here’s how it works:
Starting this week, AtlantiCare and Unite Us have begun securely connecting people in need with community-based resources that can otherwise be difficult to navigate. The Unite New Jersey network will be a central point of contact for AtlantiCare’s health and social services providers. They’ll be able to securely access and refer people to needed services while monitoring individuals’ progress and measuring their outcomes.
Samantha Kiley, executive director of community health advancement, AtlantiCare, explains it this way:
“The software will enhance how our team screens patients using the nationally standardized and stakeholder-driven PRAPARE (Protocol for Responding to & Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks & Experiences) tool that focuses on social drivers of health,” she said. “These conditions include where people are born, live, learn and work.
“Because the software will be integrated into our medical record, we’ll have greater efficiency in making closed-loop referrals to participating community organization.
The software also provides a community resource directory.
“We encourage members of our community to take advantage of this tremendous resource, which they can access through our website,” Kiley said.
More than 25 community organizations have committed to partnering with AtlantiCare to accept and send referrals, including Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County Inc. and the Atlantic City Rescue Mission.
Jacquie Henderson, director of customer and community success, Unite Us, obviously is happy with the partnership.
“Unite Us’ collaboration with AtlantiCare will improve patient care management by connecting AtlantiCare patients to social care resources that impact people’s day-to-day lives,” she said. “Through the network, AtlantiCare and Unite Us will bridge the gap between health and social care across the communities we serve. We’re committed to keeping that momentum going as we expand across New Jersey communities.”
