HealthConnect Hub Expands Network to Reach More Communities
SWACH’s HealthConnect Hub is excited to expand partnerships with trusted Community-Based Organizations to provide care coordination services throughout the Southwest Washington region.
The five awarded agencies are:
Through the HealthConnect Hub, partner agencies receive funding and support for Community-Based Worker and Supervisor positions, along with training and technical assistance, networking and workforce development opportunities, administrative support, and more.
According to Nicole Hamberger, HealthConnect Network Manager, the expansion is designed to help HealthConnect reach more community members while offering flexibility for both new and existing partners.
“The goal is to widen our network, bring in a new model that can serve more community members,” Hamberger said.
This expansion prioritizes organizations serving HealthConnect’s newly identified priority populations, including youth and young adults, and individuals re-entering the community following incarceration.
Hamberger said these populations were identified through SWACH’s landscape analysis, internal conversations, and input from the HealthConnect Advisory Council.
“Youth and re-entry were the top two priorities, which is why they are the focus for this network expansion,” Hamberger said.
The expansion also focuses on building a partner network that better reflects the communities HealthConnect serves.
“Another focus, in addition to our priority populations, was diversifying our network and ensuring that we are building a network that represents the community it is serving,” Hamberger said.
By partnering with organizations that already have trusted relationships and experience serving these communities, HealthConnect aims to strengthen culturally responsive, high-quality care coordination across the region.
“We know language barriers are one of the biggest barriers to accessing care and services, so that was another major priority,” Hamberger said.
As new partners join the network, SWACH looks forward to supporting expanded access to Community-Based Care Coordination throughout Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties.
If you’d like to get connected to Community-Based Worker networking and training opportunities, or learn how to become a referral partner for the HealthConnect Hub, please visit: https://www.southwestach.org/healthconnect-hub