NCCARE360, the state’s first coordinated care network that knits together health care, human services and community-based organizations to deliver person-centered care, is proud to announce its 1,000th referral.
“A person’s needs are often interconnected, but our health care and social service systems have been fragmented and siloed,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer of NCDHHS. “The NCCARE360 coordinated network allows our communities to be connected in a system of health that supports our vision that all North Carolinians have the opportunity for health.”
One of NCCARE360’s first referrals was in May 2019 when a resident was able to find employment assistance through the network. A local church in the Triangle region submitted an employment assistance referral through NCCARE360 and, within hours, the resident was contacted by an employment agency. Most recently for NCCARE360’s 1000th referral, a Piedmont resident was referred to social services case management by a local health department’s WIC & Nutrition Services. As a result of the referral, the resident received diapers, bedding, and other necessities for the resident’s home.
“We are so proud that NCCARE360 is succeeding in the mission we’re hoping to accomplish,” said Anne Thomas, President and CEO of the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, “which is providing a system that allows North Carolinians to easily and efficiently access the community services they need, in real time, through one integrated network.”
Since April, NCCARE360 has enabled health care providers, local health departments, social services agencies, community providers, and community-based organizations to make 1,000 electronic referrals connecting people with the resources they need. In addition to health care services from doctors and other providers, network providers can use NCCARE360’s shared technology to assist with identified needs such as housing, employment, food, interpersonal safety, and transportation, among others. The system allows for a feedback loop on the outcome of assistance, ensures accountability for services delivered, and reports the outcomes of these connections.
To date, the NCCARE360 referral network has launched in 21 counties: Alamance, Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Chowan, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Guilford, Granville, Hertford, Johnston, Martin, New Hanover, Pender, Person, Pitt, Rockingham, Vance, Wake and Warren. NCCARE360 will be available in all 100 counties by the end of 2020.
NCCARE360 is a public-private partnership between NCDHHS and the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, in collaboration with implementation partners that include the United Way of North Carolina/NC 211, Expound Decision Systems and Unite Us.
To learn more or join the network, connect to NCCARE360 navigators through the NCCARE360 website at nccare360.org or call NC 211 at (888) 892-1162.