F1 - A path to creating capacity for health systems and food systems to partner: a cross sector approach for building knowledge, relationships and trust

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Full Description: Clinical entities across Wisconsin are developing health-related social needs screening and referral processes, and absent from the conversation about design and implementation are community-based organizations (CBO). CBOs must be included in high-level conversations about the development and structure of clinical-to-community models to address social needs. In addition, creating innovative funding and support mechanisms,is critical to building strong and sustainable cross-sector relationships. Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin (Alliance) is a statewide organization that advocates for kids. The Medical Home Initiative is one of six initiatives at the Alliance and is working to advance system change across CBOs and health care systems to enhance cross-sector coordination. Our vision is to support the development of integrated systems of health and well-being for children and youth. The goal of the 2021 food insecurity and health pilot is to strengthen communication between food pantries, food banks and primary care clinics to increase food security and the whole person health of CYSHCN. Pilot partners recruited include Children’s WI, Friedens Community Ministries, Feeding America SE WI, Salvation Army and an evaluator from Data You Can Use.
The pilot was structured to include five structured learning community calls, two evaluation calls and informal conversations. These were designed to bridge knowledge and understanding across all pilot partners to facilitate connections beyond a structured learning environment.
The planned and informal connections have led to an increased awareness, deeper understanding and a change in perceptions about each of the respective systems. The knowledge gained by each of the pilot partners led to new opportunities to support one another.
This session will review the methods including the tools and steps required to gain buy-in to bring a cross-sector team together in a virtual environment; the structure used to create shared knowledge; and how the pilot team’s work in 2021 has set them on a path of shared goals and work for 2022. The food insecurity and health pilot partners will share their perspectives through an interactive panel presentation on why they joined the pilot, what they have learned along the way, and what accomplishments have come out of the partnership and future steps. The team will also share recommendations for others who may be working on developing cross sector efforts. There are growing initiatives from hospitals and clinics across WI who are in various stages of implementing social needs screening and referral processes, but the level of engagement of CBOs in these initiatives varies. Some CBOs are asked to become recipients of a referral, while others may have no awareness of the healthcare system entry into the social services sector. CBO engagement in planning and design is the exception rather than the rule.

Abbreviated Description: Clinical entities across Wisconsin are developing health-related social needs screening and referral processes, and absent from the conversation about design and implementation are community-based organizations (CBO). This session will review methods including the tools and steps required to gain buy-in to bring a cross-sector team together in a virtual environment. The team's 2021 goal is to strengthen communication between food pantries, food banks and primary care clinics to increase food security and the whole person health of CYSHCN. Pilot partners will share their perspectives through an interactive panel presentation. They will share why they joined the pilot team, what they have learned along the way, what accomplishments have resulted from the partnership, and what's next.