BPHC Members Named Finalists in DOH Innovations Initiative

Congratulations to BPHC member organizations that were named finalists in the NYS Department of Health’s (DOH’s) “Call for Innovations” Initiative:  ArchCare, God’s Love We Deliver, Montefiore Medical Center, and Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition.

The organizations presented their innovations to a group of distinguished panelists and an audience of over 600 people this week at a Social Determinants of Health Innovation Summit hosted by DOH.

The request for innovations, a first of its kind in the state, provided an opportunity for organizations to highlight how they can improve the lives of Medicaid members through cost-effective and innovative solutions. More than 200 applicants from across the country submitted innovations. Nine finalists were selected.

ArchCare was selected for its Timebank program, a free volunteer service exchange program that helps socially isolated New Yorkers meet their needs and those of their neighbors. Through its BPHC Innovation Fund project, ArchCare has expanded TimeBank to the Bronx. Click here to learn more.

God’s Love We Deliver addresses food insecurity by using a food-safe shipping carrier and telemedicine to deliver medically-tailored meals and medical nutrition therapy to people in rural areas and to those with high needs.

Montefiore Medical Center was selected for its system-wide, three-pronged approach of systemically and routinely conducting social determinant of health screenings, using an evidence-based referral tool to link patients to community-based organization services, and supporting community based organizations by providing them with training, coaching, and tools.

Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition works to reduce the need for ER visits by asthma patients by identifying asthma “hot spots” in multi-family buildings in the north and central Bronx and initiating education and interventions that also address the social determinants of health. Through its BPHC Innovation Fund project, Northwest Bronx is expanding this program in the Bronx.

In addition, Services for the UnderServed and Selfhelp Community Services were two of 18 organizations that presented their creative ways to address social determinants of health at a poster session held at the Summit.

ArchCare and Northwest Bronx are two of 16 BPHC organizations that lead projects funded by BPHC’s Innovation Fund. In September 2017, nine organizations were awarded a total of $1.85 million for pilots that include IT innovations in care delivery, patient engagement and education, and addressing social determinants of healthcare access and utilization. Read the story here.

In December 2018, seven organizations were awarded $1.3 million to develop pilot programs that improve the health and well-being of patients who need behavioral healthcare services. Read the story here.