In an unprecedented move, the CEOs of nine non-profit agencies in the Portland metro area will be meeting Fri. May 23 from 11:30am to 1pm at the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Health & Social Service Center, 1226 SW 12th in downtown Portland, to formally sign the paperwork to become a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) for the purpose of helping older adults and those with disabilities living in affordable-housing. The nine -- Cedar Sinai Park, CareOregon, Home Forward, Cascadia Behavioral Health, Asian Health and Service Center, Lifeworks NW, Sinai Family Home Service, Jewish Family & Child Services and REACH Community Development -- will develop a home and community-based system for residents in 11 affordable-housing buildings in Portland. The program will provide onsite Care Coordination by registered nurses and Health Navigation by social service staff to improve residents’ access to physical health and mental health services; connect to community resources; and reduce unnecessary use of hospitals, emergency rooms and other forms of institutional care.
The project will begin by providing services July 2014 to members in CareOregon’s Medicare plan, CareOregon Advantage, as well as those HealthShare of Oregon members covered through CareOregon. It’s anticipated that additional insurers will be added to the program and additional insured residents will have the opportunity to participate. “By assisting residents in managing their own health more effectively and easing access to services such as mental health care, nutrition support groups, and care planning, we hope to help them to remain independent,” said David Fuks, CEO of Cedar Sinai Park.
The low-income seniors and people with disabilities served by the project will also have access to services being planned in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Health and Social Service Center. “The Center will make access to health care easier and support changes in health care habits for project participants,” said Howard Klink, the Project Coordinator. The presence of Providence ElderPlace in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center will also provide an alternative resource for nursing-home-eligible individuals. “Helping our senior residents stay in their homes as they age is a key strategic goal for us,” said Steve Rudman, Executive Director of Home Forward, “Participating in this collaborative program is one of the ways we will achieve this.”
The press is welcome; refreshments will be served.
