1889 Jefferson Center for Population Health, alongside community partners, has officially launched the Community Care HUB (HUB) to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations in Cambria and Somerset counties. The HUB began accepting referrals on September 1.
Pregnant women living in Cambria or Somerset County are eligible for a referral to the HUB if they meet one or both of the following criteria: 1) receiving or eligible for Medical Assistance 2) diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Those referred will be connected to a Community Health Worker (CHW) who will link them to existing community resources, such as housing, transportation, child care, and medical providers. There is no cost for services.
“We are grateful to be able to launch the Community Care HUB and introduce this new CHW workforce. There are many amazing social and medical service providers in our region and the CHWs connecting individuals to these resources will have a significant impact on improving the health of those most vulnerable in our communities,” said Jeannine McMillan, Executive Director, Community Care HUB.
HUB Care Coordination Agency partners – Alleghenies United Cerebral Palsy; Beginnings, Inc.; and Community Action Partnership of Cambria County – employ the CHWs that utilize the outcome-based Pathways structure. CHW training for the Community Care HUB kicked off on July 20 and ran through August 31, 2020. Pathways Community HUB Institute and Care Coordination Systems were the lead facilitators of the CHW training, with local community-based organizations and providers also taking part. The training aligns with the PA Certification Board’s Certified CHW curriculum and included topics such as community health; care coordination; health literacy, interpersonal skills; cultural competency; and the pathways model.
“Caring for the welfare of children is a shared responsibility that we are all called to do. It is a collective collaboration of Community,” said Flor Hernandez, Community Care HUB CHW at Beginnings, Inc. “Children will inherit our society, therefore, let us be an example of what a beloved community looks like in action.”
1889 Foundation has provided initial funding for the six CHWs and the HUB infrastructure. Community Care HUB follows the nationally-recognized and evidence-based Pathways Community HUB model developed by the Pathways Community HUB Institute.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see the launch of the Community Care HUB. This HUB is truly a collaborative process with many partners and the result of a lot of hard work through a very difficult time,” said Susan Mann, President of 1889 Foundation. “We welcome our six community health workers and are excited to know that they will be connecting people to the resources they are most in need of and will help our community become a healthier place for all.”
A HUB is an organized, outcome focused, network of Care Coordination Agencies (CCAs) who hire and train community health workers (CHWs) to reach out to those at greatest risk. The HUB helps to coordinate community resources to reduce the medical, behavioral and social barriers to care.
Anyone can refer an eligible individual to the HUB with their consent, including medical providers, social service agencies, community organizations, and self-referrals. To refer someone or to learn more about the Community Care HUB, visit: https://www.1889jeffersoncenter.org/hub/, call 814-535-5156 or email HUB@jefferson.edu.