The health care system is not designed to address the unmet resource needs (e.g., food and housing) of low-income patients and their families. The Health Leads Desk program uses volunteers to connect families with community resources, including food, housing, GED programs, and job training. In New York City, 120 volunteers staff desks at Bellevue Hospital Center, Harlem Hospital Center, NewYork-Presbyterian's Washington Heights Family Health Center, and Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center. However, there is no standard screening and referral mechanism in place, and some families are not made aware of the desk program during their visits. Health Leads will work with its four New York City sites to develop universal screening and referral mechanisms. Each site will form its own project team, and screening and referral procedures and tools will be developed and customized for each clinic. Each site will conduct an initial test of the screening and referral process with a selected target population and develop a plan for full implementation.
Read the story about the results of this grant.