The California Improvement Network (CIN) identified addressing social needs that impact health as a top priority area for 2018–19. This webinar series spotlighted efforts of leading health organizations to accurately measure return on investment (ROI) for social needs that impact health.

There is not a single approach for defining and measuring ROI for social needs initiatives, and many organizations aren’t sure where to even start. No matter what stage they are at in the process, these webinars offer valuable information for health care organizations in considering different approaches to addressing social influences.

Webinar 1 (10/19/2018)

This webinar covered the efforts Contra Costa Health Services, a county-led health system, has taken to measure its return on investment for its social needs initiatives. Contra Costa Health Services shared its progress, lessons learned, challenges, and insights from this leading-edge work.

Speakers:

• Daniel Brown, PhD, MPH, Data Scientist, Contra Costa Health Services
• Elizabeth Hernandez, MS, Health Planner/Evaluator, CommunityConnect
• April Watson, MPH, CIN Managing Partner

Webinar 2 (11/30/2018)

This webinar featured a conversation with Kaiser Permanente researchers about their pilot (and national program) to measure ROI for the high-needs community. The conversation highlighted: utilization data from high-need patients; operational lessons related to patient engagement; and initiatives to connect members to community resources and track outcomes.

Speakers:

• April Watson, MPH, CIN Managing Partner
• Adam Sharp, MD, MS, research scientist at Kaiser Permanente
• Artair Rogers, manager of west coast partnerships, Health Leads

Webinar 3 (12/18/2018)

Learn common pitfalls and best practices to address social influences on health: the formula and process for evaluating ROI; and case studies from leading organizations.

Speakers:

• April Watson, MPH, Director of Practice Transformation, Pacific Business Group on Health
• Robert Moore, chief medical officer, Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC)

Webinar 4 (7/16/2019)

This webinar featured a discussion about Kaiser Permanente (KP)’s efforts to develop a standard, enterprise-wide approach to addressing the social needs of its members by connecting them to community resources and tracking outcomes. Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Local Program aims to deepen their learning about the needs of members and patients and the communities in which KP serves.

This social health program includes a resource directory, a network of community partners and a new technology platform that involves closed loop referrals and integration with the electronic health record and member portal. The program aims to close social care gaps, and ultimately improve clinical outcomes, personal health and well being, enhance system performance, and improve community health. The new technology will include search and filtering capability and referral and tracking information to help KP close the loop and inform their understanding of the connections being made between patients and community resources.

Speakers:

• Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA, Vice President, Care Coordination, Medicaid and Vulnerable Populations, National Medicaid, Kaiser Permanente
• April Watson, MPH, Director of Practice Transformation, Pacific Business Group on Health

Webinar 5 (8/13/2019)

This webinar provided an update on efforts from Contra Costa Health Services, a county-led health system, to measure its return on investment for its social needs initiatives. Contra Costa Health Services shared its progress, lessons learned, challenges, and insights from this leading-edge work.

Speakers:

• Daniel Brown, PhD, MPH, Data Scientist, Contra Costa Health Services
• Elizabeth Hernandez, MS, Health Planner/Evaluator, CommunityConnect
• April Watson, MPH, CIN Managing Partner