IDignity’s Post

“Homes as health care” is exactly the type of out-of-the box thinking that can create a meaningful impact on California’s homelessness crisis. It illustrates how health and housing needs are closely intertwined and how the concept of “homes as health care” not only benefits the individual, but our society and economy as a whole. With this dual strategy, the state can drive down health care costs while simultaneously building healthier communities. This type of expansive problem-solving must be extended to include legal services as health care. Lawyers working with low-income individuals and families can help address other “social determinants of health,” such as deterring domestic violence, or ensuring access to public benefits and addressing wage theft, both of which hamper an individual’s ability to afford rent. The proof of concept is already in place; you can see the positive effects of Bet Tzedek’s Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) with Harbor UCLA, which pairs hospital staff with lawyers to address patient legal needs — from employment to housing to immigration — and promote their health. From July 2020 to present day, our partnership has opened more than 1,400 cases, making it consistently one of the highest-volume MLPs in the Medical-Legal Community Partnership (MLCP) program. We applaud the effort being made by California’s healthcare providers, developers and state officials. And the state’s legal aid sector looks forward to being a part of this venture. 

During the Essex Startups Business Consultation Competition, my team and I tackled the pressing challenge of homelessness crisis, which demanded innovative problem-solving and collaboration. My experience as a business consultant addressing homelessness further reinforced my ability to solve problems innovatively and collaborate efficiently. Despite significant personnel changes to our team, our diverse group of members thrived, leveraging a rich tapestry of perspectives and expertise to overcome challenges. Our journey underscored the importance of holistic research, enabling us to uncover nuanced insights and identify systemic barriers for the councils we partnered with. Ultimately, our 1st place victory at iTeams 2024 validated the transformative impact of our solution. Our success hinged on resilience, clear communication, and seamless teamwork, which gave us the extra edge we needed in the competition. I am grateful for my teammates Bliss Anyalewechi Jayim Carrillo Monroy Omotola Oladini Riyaz Ahamed. I would also like to thank The Weave, James Cracknell MSc SysPrac (Open), Magdalena Mahdy, MICB and Essex Startups. Mid Suffolk and Babergh District Councils were facing a significant hurdle: the urgent need to reduce homelessness within a tight timeframe. To address this challenge, we had to focus on creating a housing solution that's not only scalable and socially beneficial but also cost-neutral initially, with the potential for future income generation. Our strategy to combat homelessness in Mid Suffolk and Babergh involved three key components. Firstly, we prioritized prevention by leveraging partnerships with welfare organizations to identify and support at-risk individuals before they become homeless. Secondly, we proposed implementing modular housing solutions to provide affordable and sustainable living options, reducing build times and costs. This approach, proven successful in neighbouring areas, promises increased availability of housing and financial benefits for the council. Thirdly, we focused on optimizing social services through collaboration with the University of Essex, empowering social workers and streamlining assistance processes. By addressing root causes, implementing smart housing solutions, and enhancing social services, we aim to create thriving communities with reduced homelessness. Below is a video of yours truly, Mateo Stephen, delivering my team’s solution to the judges.

Housing is one of the “social determinants of health” that may have a greater influence on people’s well-being than traditional health care. Housing insecurity negatively impacts health outcomes, contributing to higher rates of chronic illness and hospital visits. The UNH Carsey School of Public Policy is setting up a community loan fund to improve health conditions by addressing affordable housing and these social determinants of health. The fund is modeled on a program launched by the University of Vermont. We need more housing. Investing in housing is investing in our health and well-being at the community level. #AffordableHousing #HealthEquity #CommunityWellBeing #NHHealthcare #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois committed $12 million over five years to help Illinois communities fund new permanent and temporary housing. Key Points: - Focus on housing as a social determinant of health: Studies show unstable housing increases healthcare utilization and mortality rates. - Targeting underserved communities: Initial investments will focus on Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, Oak Park, Dolton, and Jacksonville. - Eligibility through BCBSIL assessments: Members with identified housing needs will be connected to available resources. - Alignment with community investment strategy: This initiative supports BCBSIL's focus on economic opportunity, food access, healthy environments, local health solutions, and optimal health outcomes. - Building on existing efforts: Since 2019, BCBSIL has invested over $5 million in housing initiatives, including the Center for Housing and Health's Flexible Housing Pool. Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q02mWkvn0

“Finding solutions that make government services accessible to all.” Well, #BillShorten, how about look at the Medicare rebate amounts and bring them into this century, and preferably in line with today’s rates? That would make medical services accessible to all. You could also stop bumbling and killing the #NDIS and instead #KillTheBill. Actually #LISTEN to the people you say that you are listening to and bring in effective changes that will allow PWD to be in control of their supports, have the AT necessary for them to have a decent quality of life and independence, and support the quality small providers who are currently being forced to close their doors. Here is a radical idea: actually charge the big mining businesses for the resources they are currently being given for basically free, plus change the tax structure so the big businesses can’t get away with paying less tax than most middle income earners. Then that money could be poured into health, education, and even infrastructure such as roads. #NDIS #KillTheBill #GovernmentAccountability #GovernmentTransparency #Medicare #Mining #AustralianResources

Homelessness and unemployment are one and the same much of the time. Can’t get a job because you don’t have a fixed address. Can’t get a place to live because you don’t have an income. A lot of the candidates that Radical Recruit works with are experiencing some level of homelessness (or have done previously). And this doesn’t always mean rough sleeping. There is a temporary accommodation crisis in the UK. There is a cost-of-living crisis in the UK. Homelessness takes many forms. Sofa surfing or some other type of temporary living situation are both examples of homelessness. And how can anyone be expected to show up to work and focus properly if they don’t know whether they will have somewhere to sleep when they clock off for the day? Or if the place that they're living is totally uninhabitable? How are they supposed to build a routine or plan anything when they could be made to move to a new place at any given time? Securing employment is essential for long-term stability and independence. A stable income is the very foundation upon which people are able to build and develop future plans for themselves and their families. We're constantly looking for more employers to open up jobs to Radical Recruit's candidates so we're able to support more people into employment. We also rely on the generous donations of individuals - as well as corporate partnerships and sponsorships - to help us continue running our programmes. Are you in charge of your charity "pot" or steering social value commitments for your organisation? Drop me a DM to see how you can get involved.💌

Some key points as to why i love this community based article with Unite Us powering the experience between health care, government, and social services- Remember: it takes a village and the right proven technology advancing our collective work. 1. Highlights this is community focused coordination- not one sector or another. the community- with United Way of the Lakelands as a key leader 2. Focuses on real-time, bidirectional exchange of data/electronic referrals BETWEEN community partners that didn't exist prior to Unite Us 3. A connection hub at the center with Unite Us powering that centralized hub and client-centered experience 4.Streamlines processes for community partners (and the client) by sending necessary info electronically alongside referral to recipients, enabling case tracking, collaboration with external partners 5. Partners are on the same page on how cases were resolved, what service was provided- and if not, why not. Using data to advocate for funding for capacity- and host quarterly calls to discuss performance! 6. A referral isn't just one way and it ends there. its always alive until its to the right provider and people don't fall through the cracks.

Our final product for Eindhoven Engine with Alexander B. Goal: Create a communication bridge between help organizations in Geldrop and people who lack basic skills in Geldrop Coevering. De Hulp Vinder aka The help Finder (see prototype) De Hulp Vinder is an advanced platform that links Geldrop locals to essential community resources, especially for people who encounter obstacles because of a lack of basic skills. It offers a user-friendly, intuitive design that eliminates many conventional barriers to getting aid by implementing a futuristic approach. Its design revolves around a swipe-based system that lets users respond to simple inquiries by swiping right or left to indicate their desires. Users are empowered to seek out the help they require in a non-threatening, individualized way thanks to this dynamic yet approachable method that makes seeking aid engaging and simple.     Based on the user's past answers, the platform's algorithm customizes each question, creating a personalized path that leads them to the most pertinent help alternatives without being overbearing. This adaptive questioning makes The process more effective and user-focused, which naturally directs users toward resources catered to their particular circumstances. To make sure that customers obtain matches that best fit their individual needs and goals, the site also uses a sophisticated matching system that prioritizes the most appropriate businesses based on user preferences, keywords, and service availability.      De Hulp Vinder's importance stems from its capacity to close the information gap that frequently keeps people from getting the necessary assistance services. Navigating the support environment can be depressing and difficult for many people who lack skills in areas like housing, work, or mental health. By providing a straightforward, organized route to support, De Hulp Vinder tackles this issue head-on and reduces the confusion that frequently surrounds asking for aid. Consequently, the platform strengthens social networks, lessens socioeconomic gaps, and increases community resilience. Through providing targeted assistance for housing, work, financial aid, and mental health services,    Additionally, the user-centred design of the site lessens the social stigma that frequently accompanies asking for help. De Hulp Vinder makes asking for aid a personal, powerful experience by encouraging people to consider their options without feeling criticized or singled out through a private, interactive interface. The platform's continuous feedback loop gives service providers and community organizations vital information about user demands and difficulties, enabling them to improve their offerings continuously. De Hulp Vinder's ability to respond to community trends guarantees that it will continue to be a useful and flexible resource for other organizations and people.      

🌎 Vision: Transforming Lives Through Holistic Case Management - Will You Join Me? 🌱 After 6 years in the trenches of social services, I've witnessed something that keeps me up at night: our fragmented support system is failing those who need help the most. Think about it - someone struggling with housing instability might also be battling addiction, mental health challenges, and legal issues. Yet our current system expects them to somehow navigate multiple programs, retell their story countless times, and coordinate their own care. It's like asking someone to build a house while they're trying to survive a storm. Let me be clear: this isn't about replacing existing case management services - they're absolutely essential and doing crucial work. Instead, I'm envisioning a nonprofit that serves as the crucial bridge between these services. Think of it as the missing link that helps both clients AND providers succeed. Imagine having ONE dedicated advocate who: • Coordinates and amplifies the impact of existing programs • Ensures smooth handoffs between different services • Eliminates redundancy and reduces administrative burden • Helps specialty case managers focus on what they do best • Makes sure nothing falls through the cracks as clients move between services The result? More efficient use of existing resources, reduced burnout for specialty case managers, and most importantly - better outcomes for clients. When we connect the dots between services, everyone wins: clients get comprehensive support, and individual programs can serve more people effectively. This isn't just another program - it's a complete reimagining of how we can make our existing support system work better for everyone in King County. But here's the thing: I can't build this alone. I'm looking for: ✨ Passionate minds to help shape the vision ✨ Partners willing to challenge the status quo ✨ People who believe that transformative change is possible ✨ Experienced case managers who understand current system challenges Whether you have expertise in nonprofits, connections in the social services world, or simply believe in this vision - I want to hear from you. Drop a comment, send me a message, or share this post if you believe in creating a system that truly works for everyone. Whether you want to actually get involved and partner with me, or can just give advice and guidance, your insight is needed Together, we can build something revolutionary that lifts up our entire community support network. Are you in? 💪 #CommunityFirst #SocialImpact #KingCounty #NonprofitStartup #SystemicChange #CollaborativeCare

A new $110 million program through AHCCCS is set to make a transformative impact on Arizona’s homeless population, particularly those with serious mental illness (SMI). In a significant step toward integrated healthcare and housing support, the initiative will provide vital resources to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our community, offering a pathway to stability and wellness for those struggling with homelessness and complex health needs. This groundbreaking program will not only deliver essential healthcare services but also connect individuals to long-term housing, addressing the underlying factors that contribute to chronic homelessness. By focusing on both mental and physical health within a stable living environment, AHCCCS aims to reduce the revolving door of emergency services and foster a foundation of sustained support for Arizona’s homeless community. For individuals with SMI, this dual approach of healthcare and housing support is a lifeline, enabling them to work toward a stable, secure future. The program will also work in partnership with local organizations to ensure these services reach those who need them most, helping people regain independence and rebuild their lives with dignity. A New Leaf recognizes the profound impact that initiatives like these have on creating a healthier, more compassionate Arizona. This program offers hope and possibility to countless individuals, bridging the gap between healthcare and housing and empowering them to embrace a future with newfound stability and support. https://lnkd.in/dbUcKw5B