Monthly distribution events of hygiene/household products were launched in January 2021 by Family First Health (FFH) & Community Progress Council/Community of Hope (CPC) to meet a basic need and to connect neighbors with supports and resources. Through this hygiene distribution event, our Connections team met someone who recently moved to the US and did not have their citizenship documentation yet. We connected them to a Health Connector (HC) who assisted them in obtaining vaccinations for their children, enrolling in the sliding fee program at FFH, connecting them to the Healthy Community Network, and securing them a medical home at FFH. Through a strategic coaching partnership, the HC introduced them to CPC’s Resource Navigator who helped in completing an Emergency Rental Assistance application, connected them with a same day appointment for a local food pantry, and to a Workforce Development Coach to guide through the process of reaching their employment goals, including obtaining a license in cosmetology. Through the advocacy of the resource navigator, they obtained a translated diploma and enrolled into a local cosmetology school.

A couple months after an outreach event, a patient reached out in need of assistance after losing their SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or “food stamps”) benefits and did not know what to do next. They scheduled an appointment at Family First Health, and we helped them complete a new SNAP application. After the application was completed, we contacted WellSpan to help the patient regain their and their children’s access to the portal. It turns out that the patient was new to York County, and their daughter became a new student at Hannah Penn K-8. Additional resources were offered to the patient and a referral to Community of Hope was made for English as a Second Language classes, employment, Emergency Rental Assistance Program application assistance, and assistance with filling out the HeadStart application for their youngest son. A referral was also made to WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) for their youngest son, as they weren’t aware they could receive those benefits. The patient also mentioned that they had transferred their Section 8 after they moved to York, but never heard anything back. Through working with Community of Hope located at the Hannah Penn school, we contacted their office to see the status of the application and the next steps to take. Although the patient only came in for one thing, we were able to work together and provide them with different resources they needed all in just one stop. The patient saved our number after a simple conversation from an outreach event and reached out when they felt confident that we could provide the resources their family needed. Through outreach events, this allows us to create great connections with the families of the school.

After a community integrated practice team meeting, the Community Health Programs Manager referred a patient who was filing for sole/full custody of their children. The patient also needed assistance with scheduling medical and dental appointments for the children. The children had major tooth decay on their two front teeth and other dental issues. We assisted them with switching the Primary Care Provider on the insurance to Family First Health and helped schedule both medical and dental appointments for the children. Later, the patient explained that they found out their unemployment benefits had ended. We then helped assist in applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or “food stamps”) and also provided resources to find a new job.