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CommuniCare – CIE
CommuniCare is a new initiative that aims to improve access to community services, health, and equity by improving coordination and communication between service providers in Wyoming as a Community Information Exchange® (CIE).
A Community Information Exchange® (CIE) is a network of cross-sector partners who commit to sharing information and coordinating care with each other. Partners can access a variety of tools and Wyoming 211’s comprehensive resource database where they contribute to a single longitudinal client record, share information important to care, and make bi-directional, closed-loop referrals. As a result, their shared clients will have more efficient access to the care and support they need to improve their health and quality of life.
The Why
In 2022, Wyoming 211 partnered with EMC Partners, LLC to develop an Environmental scan to assess the need for a Community Information Exchange® (CIE) in Laramie County. What this scan revealed was telling: Wyoming can do better to offer more comprehensive care to clients.
Specifically, the scan revealed that:
- Clients are inhibited by redundant paperwork.
- Service providers struggle to keep up with a changing resource landscape.
- Providers often do not know who else is working with their clients making collaboration inefficient.
- Closing the loop (knowing if a referral resulted in the client being connected) is currently limited.
- Providers with a care coordination/communication platform may not use it due to inconvenience and complexity.
- SDOH screenings are limited, despite being a best practice for equity and health.
With Wyoming 211 and the help of local service providers, the development of CommuniCare will remove these barriers and improve access to care.
the problem
Community members navigate many systems to access services they need to be healthy and thrive. Access to services is often time-consuming, confusing, fraught with barriers, and particularly difficult for those most vulnerable. This can be made difficult because there is little coordination between our medical, behavioral health, government, social service, and community-based organizations. Service providers struggle with getting the information they need to plan for and provide the best care for prevention and recovery. The ability to maximize health and well-being by addressing the Social Determinants of Health are often missed in a crisis oriented and fragmented system of care.
The goal
CommuniCare aims to improve access to community services, health, and equity by improving coordination and communication between service providers in Wyoming and by addressing clients’ Social Determinants of Health. As a result, shared clients will have better and more efficient access to the services, care, and support they need to improve their health and quality of life.
the method
With funding from Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Community Benefits Grant and ARPA funds allocated by the Wyoming State Legislature, social service, health care, and governmental organizations are in the process of developing CommuniCare. CommuniCare will utilize Wyoming 211’s resource database and connect the system to in-network providers, allowing access to a variety of tools and technology that help identify client needs, close the loop on referrals, communicate with others working with shared clients, and better identify available resources.
Levels of participation
CommuniCare will provide three levels of participation to meet the unique needs of service organizations. Costs will vary and are hoped to be reduced through grant funding. See the chart for a brief summary of some of the functionality and benefits that will be included in each level of participation.
we are a connector
CommuniCare will provide three levels of participation to meet the unique needs of service organizations. Costs will vary and are hoped to be reduced through grant funding. See the chart for a brief summary of some of the functionality and benefits that will be included in each level of participation.
Community Information Exchange® (CIE) early interest
If your organization is interested in becoming a member of CommuniCare and would like a Wyoming 211 representative to reach out with more information, fill out the form below.
Mission, Vision & Values
- Set people up to succeed: We will break down barriers and remove obstacles to getting help, and reduce missed opportunities to access resources, by making the process simpler, quicker and less redundant for everyone accessing services and supports.
- Collaborative community-based approach: We will think outside of our own organization’s walls to consider ways to provide our clients and patients with continued support and care in the community. We will collaborate, communicate, and strengthen connections with other care and service providers in order to best serve the community.
- Whole person focus: We will focus on a holistic picture of health and well-being, and will set up systems and supports that not only address physical and mental health, but also identify, address and mitigate social determinants of health.
- Equitable access for all: We will work intentionally to ensure that all people, especially the most vulnerable individuals and families and those experiencing the greatest health, social, economic and racial disparities, can access similar opportunities for health, quality of life, and wellbeing.
- Community and consumer voice: We will actively seek out and consider community and consumer input in decision making with an emphasis on hearing from people and populations who are directly impacted by our decisions and actions.
- Respect and openness: We will operate with respect, a willingness to listen, and an openness to different perspectives.
- Transparency: To the greatest extent possible, we will make available to interested parties and the public work products, processes, and recommendations that arise from our work.
Mission
To build partnerships, foster collaboration and enhance communication across health, human and social service providers throughout our community so that people are (most) effectively and equitably connected to resources that improve their lives.
Vision
A healthier, more equitable community.