For Immediate Release
July 18, 2023
Contact: Joellen Leavelle, jleavelle@usaging.org and 202.719.8890
SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Today, USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute presented the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Inc. (WNYICC) with The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award for its work as a Community Care Hub to address the social determinants of health. Through its 25 contracts with health plans, WNYICC’s more than 50 members help reduce barriers older adults and people with disabilities may face in accessing medical care by addressing the health-related social needs of individuals living in western New York through a variety of programs.
“Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative (WNYICC) is honored to be recognized for our innovative partnership with Independent Health. Through contracting with this health plan, the WNYICC Network has helped over 1,500 people in the western New York region address health-related social needs such as food insecurity, social isolation, health literacy and more,” said Nikki Kmicinski, Executive Director. “With over 50 local, trusted community-based organizations in the WNYICC Network providing these social services on the ground and in the homes of our community, we are reducing the cost of care and improving the lives of western New Yorkers. WNYICC’s Community Care Hub will continue to pursue partnerships with health care entities interested in addressing health equity and the social determinants of health for their members through interventions delivered by our community-based network members,” she continued.
A runner-up for The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award is the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging in Columbus, OH, which was recognized for creating a simplified tool that allows Community Health Workers, social workers and registered nurses screen patients for health-related social needs through its Social Determinant of Health Accelerator Program. Also recognized as a runner-up was the Region IV Area Agency on Aging for its partnership with Corewell Health South and a network of community-based organizations to help reduce the frequency of emergency department visits among older adults by using interventions that apply the 4Ms framework to patient care.
“USAging is thrilled to present this award to the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood. “By delivering services such as meals, nutrition and diabetes self-management programs, it is improving the overall health, well-being and quality of life of the community. This award proves that WNYICC is leading the way for other community-based organizations to take similar steps to improve care for older adults and people with disabilities in their communities while strengthening their connections to medical providers,” Markwood continued. “Each of today’s recipients, WNYICC, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and Region IV Area Agency on Aging, demonstrate that AAAs and community-based organizations are effective partners for health care and are leaders in helping older adults and people with disabilities to live well at home.”
“The community-based organizations recognized this year stand out as inspirational leaders in ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities have access to equitable, age-friendly health care,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “By working collaboratively with other community-based organizations to meet their community’s health-related social needs, Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and the Region IV Area Agency on Aging have shown not only that these partnerships work, but that they can reduce barriers to care and improve overall health.”
About The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford.
About USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit usaging.org and follow @theUSAging on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Aging and Disability Business Institute
The mission of the Aging and Disability Business Institute is to build and strengthen partnerships between aging and disability community-based organizations and the health care system. The Business Institute receives funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, The SCAN Foundation and the Administration for Community Living and is led by USAging.
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