The Institute Receives New York State Grant to Enhance its Ulster County Health Home

New Paltz, NY (April 10, 2015) – The Institute for Family Health was awarded over $800,000 in New York State funding to support infrastructure enhancements for its Ulster County Health Home program. The program is sponsored by the New York State Department of Health to coordinate health services for Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic, complex health conditions. The Institute is the lead agency for the Ulster County Health Home, which it operates in collaboration with numerous community partners, including Family of Woodstock, Mental Health Associations of Ulster and Dutchess Counties, Hudson Valley Service and ARC. The Health Home launched in 2012 and now serves about 5,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in the county.

“We’re delighted to receive this additional funding to support our Health Home infrastructure,” said Virna Little, the Institute’s senior vice president for psychosocial services and community affairs. “Health Home patients receive an extra level of support that helps people stay healthy and will ultimately reduce costs to the health care system. Upfront investment is key to making the program work.”

All counties in New York State are served by at least one Health Home, all of which received infrastructure funds. The Institute plans to use part of its funding to support IT enhancements that will make it easier for health care providers to coordinate care for their patients. The funding can also be used for patient outreach and engagement, workforce training, and inter-organizational collaboration efforts.

Health Homes were authorized under the federal Affordable Care Act, and New York State began its Health Home program in 2011. The Health Home program provides access to and coordination of primary and acute health services, behavioral health care and long-term services and supports for people with chronic conditions. Patients are Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic conditions, such as asthma, hypertension, HIV or schizophrenia. Patients enrolled in the Health Home program work with a designated care navigator to coordinate all of their service needs.

To learn more about the Institute’s Ulster County Health Home, visit https://institute.org/health-care/services/ulster-county-health-home