As research has grown to show that clinical care is not the strongest determinant in health outcomes, it’s increasingly more common for healthcare entities to prioritize health equity and address health disparities in patients and the community. Additionally, recent shifts in state and federal policy encourage healthcare organizations to take accountability for addressing social determinants of health (SDoH). Historically, Cedars-Sinai (C-S) has lacked a fully cohesive strategy to align the identification of patients’ SDoH needs, making it difficult to extract and interpret SDoH data in a meaningful way and ensure patients are receiving adequate support. This lack of infrastructure resulted in inconsistent SDoH data collection, varying provider workflows with no accountability, and a fragmented process for resource connections.
The Community Connect Program (CCP), launched in 2021, is an enterprise-wide program that aims to improve patient health by addressing SDoH through assessment and linkages to community-based providers. CCP uses an innovative approach to understand patients’ holistic needs by working with community leaders and leveraging data-driven strategies to identify and support SDoH disparities. CCP has four workstreams that interweave data collection, resource connections, community partnerships, and community health workers (CHWs) to support the SDoH needs of patients and community members.
Presentation topics include:
- Showcase successful SDoH intervention strategies from screening to community resource connection and beyond.
- Provide strategy for organizations to respond to SDoH needs through community partnerships.
- Glean best practices for CHW program development to address patient SDoH needs.
Click here to register.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024: 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. (PT)
Katie Hren, LCSW, MPH
Associate Director, Community Connect Program Office of Health Equity
Cedars-Sinai Health
Katie Hren is a healthcare professional with strong clinical skills, experience in systems work, and a demonstrated commitment to serving others. In Katie’s professional experience she has worked in a variety of social service and health care settings ranging from mental health facilities, community-based organizations, hospitals, and private practice. Currently, Katie serves as the Associate Director of Cedars-Sinai’s Community Connect Program in the Office of Health Equity. In this role, she leads the design and implementation of a systems wide social determinants of health program, aiming to increase patient health by addressing health-related social needs in vulnerable patient populations. Born and raised in LA, Katie graduated with her B.A. in Human Development from CSULB and holds a dual master’s degree in Social Work and Public Health from USC.
Krystal Green, MPH
Program Manager for the Community Connect Program
Cedars-Sinai Health
Krystal Green is a public health professional and advocate dedicated to advancing the quality and accessibility of health care for vulnerable populations. She holds a bachelor of science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies from the USC Keck School of Medicine and a master’s degree in Public Health from California State University, Northridge. Her experience includes working in community-based organizations and public health institutions with a focus on cross-sector partnership development, health policy and systems change. Currently, Krystal serves as the Program Manager for the Community Connect Program at Cedars-Sinai. Prior to Cedars-Sinai, Krystal served as a Community Liaison and Health Systems Program Officer focused on strengthening public and community systems to improve outcomes for individuals and families.
HQI is an approved continuing education (CE) provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing and will provide CHPSO members an opportunity to earn CEs. Provider Number CEP16793 for 1.0 contact hour.
Please contact CHPSO at info@chpso.org if you have any questions.