Using community health workers to address needs beyond the healthcare system: Connecting to community resources and building social support

In this session the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) will discuss approaches to promoting healthy communities beyond the healthcare system, through the Health Navigator Program. In addition to teaching families how to navigate the healthcare system, the program connects families to essential community resources (ex. Food distribution, WIC, Head Start, violence counseling, parenting classes, programs for people with a disability, etc.). Many of these connections were urgently needed resources (above healthcare) and created lasting impact. This novel approach of addressing needs outside of healthcare is vital to promoting holistic healthy communities. When asked what the most meaningful connections made during our visits, many families report the non-health resources/referrals had the largest immediate impact. Addressing non-health related needs first, built rapport with families and created an open environment where they were willing and eager to learn about health. The Health Navigator Program hosts community classes on various topics of interest (nutrition, asthma, child and home safety, etc ). In addition to learning the information, these community classes offer the parents an opportunity to build relationships with other parents in their community and strengthen their social support system. This session will feature real life success stories from the IEHP Health Navigator Program to display non-traditional impact a health plan has made in helping families. Some of the topics will include how an HMO goes beyond the health care system, boosting parent's self esteem, family compliance, data collection, etc. We will also emphasis the importance of building community agency collaborations.