There is an increasing understanding of the significant role that non-medical factors, often referred to as social determinants of health, play in overall well-being. Elements such as access to nutritious food, secure and affordable housing, and stable employment opportunities are now recognized as critical components influencing health outcomes and healthcare expenditures. Addressing these social needs can lead to improved health and a reduction in healthcare costs.
However, individuals often encounter a disjointed network of health and social services, making it challenging to navigate and access the support they require. Service providers frequently operate independently, lacking connection and effective methods for coordinating care for individuals within their communities. Cares Program Nc, known formally as NCCARE360, emerges as a collaborative solution designed to tackle this fragmentation by establishing a coordinated, community-focused, and person-centered approach to healthcare delivery throughout North Carolina.
Through the Cares Program NC initiative, community partners gain access to a comprehensive suite of resources, including:
- A Statewide Resource Directory: This robust directory encompasses a dedicated call center staffed by trained navigators, a specialized data team responsible for resource verification, and integrated text and chat functionalities for ease of access and support.
- Integrated Data Repository: To enhance resource accessibility and data sharing, the program features a centralized data repository. This system integrates resource directories from across the state, facilitating the seamless sharing of vital resource information among participating organizations.
- Secure Technology Platform: The cornerstone of Cares Program NC is a shared technology platform designed to enable secure and efficient communication and collaboration between healthcare and human service providers. This platform facilitates the sending and receiving of secure electronic referrals, real-time communication capabilities, secure sharing of client information, and comprehensive outcome tracking.
- Community Engagement Network: Recognizing the importance of collaboration, Cares Program NC includes a dedicated community engagement team. This team works directly with community-based organizations, social service agencies, healthcare systems, independent practitioners, and other stakeholders to cultivate and expand a statewide coordinated care network.
This innovative solution ensures clear accountability for services delivered, establishing a “no wrong door” approach to access, and critically, “closes the loop” on every referral made, guaranteeing follow-through and effective support.
The Cares Program NC network achieved statewide availability across all counties in North Carolina in June 2020. Organizations and agencies interested in becoming part of the Cares Program NC network are encouraged to submit their requests to join here.
Cares Program NC is the product of a successful public-private partnership between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation (FHLI). Key implementation partners driving the program include United Way of NC/211, Expound Decision Systems, and Unite Us.
Resources for Further Understanding
NCCARE360 Referral Guidelines for Local Health Departments – For local health departments seeking to maximize their engagement with the network, the “Maximizing the NCCARE360 Network to Advance the Public’s Health: A Guide for NC Local Health Departments” provides essential referral guidelines. This resource acts as a foundational guide for local health department planning, implementation, and evaluation of Cares Program NC integration. The guidelines streamline and standardize referral processes, establishing an immediate virtual connection between service providers and ensuring comprehensive client service delivery. By leveraging the platform’s full potential, health departments can improve service linkages and care provision while strengthening community partnerships to promote public health advancement.
Explore More About Cares Program NC
NCCARE360 Quarterly Report: August – October 2019
NCCARE360 Quarterly Report: April – July 2019
NCCARE360 Quarterly Report: January – March 2019
