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Read MoreCounty collaborative making an impactful difference for this underserved population
Photo Caption: Inspira Health received NJHA’s Community Outreach Award for its participation in the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative. On hand to receive the award are (L – R) Dave Yhlen, COO for Ambulatory Services for Inspira Health, Robin Weinstein, Ed.D., president and founder of the M25 Initiative, and John DiAngelo, president and CEO of Inspira Health.
January 25, 2019 — For its work as a founding member of the Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative (CCHFC), Inspira Health was recognized with the New Jersey Hospital Association’s (NJHA) Community Outreach Award. Since the collaborative’s inception, Inspira has provided behavioral health services, logistical support and more than $150,000 to help end chronic homelessness in Cumberland County by 2020.
The CCHFC is a unique consortium of social service organizations, faith-based institutions and government officials that follows the Housing First model aiming to tackle chronic homelessness in the county. The underlying philosophy of this model is to place people in their own dwelling first, while simultaneously giving them the tools they need to reintegrate into society successfully. Through collaboration among its members, CCHFC can offer stable and sustainable no or low-cost housing, as well as offer “wrap-around” services including mental health care, case management, social services, and medical health care – a number of which are provided by Inspira, alongside other partners.
In its start-up year, the collaborative housed 50 chronically homeless individuals. After 13 months, this has resulted in a 34 percent reduction in hospital admissions, 75 percent reduction in EMS usage, and 93 percent reduction in incarceration – underscoring the program’s impact in helping these individuals regain control and improve their lives. As a result of Inspira’s contributions to this effort, it was honored at NJHA’s 100th annual meeting with the Community Achievement Award, which recognizes organizations that enhance access and quality of care to reduce disparities.
“Whether new or existing patients, or others in the community – Inspira strives to improve the lives of all it serves. As a founding member, we are proud to support this initiative and further our commitment to fostering healthier communities in the South Jersey region,” said John DiAngelo, president and CEO of Inspira Health. “The member organizations in the Housing First Collaborative are making a meaningful difference in the lives of previously homeless individuals in the county, and we take great pride in playing a role in this highly impactful program.”
The guiding agency of this collaborative is the M25 Initiative, a nonprofit organization based in Bridgeton, which also facilitates the grassroots Cumberland County Code Blue Coalition. In addition to Inspira, other CCHFC members include Gateway Community Action Partnership, PRAC of Southern New Jersey, Resources for Independent Living, CompleteCare Health Network, Volunteers of America Delaware Valley, and the Cumberland County Jail and government. The collaborative also works with Robin's Nest and the Cumberland County Family Shelter.
“Inspira is an essential part of the M25 Initiative’s Cumberland County Housing First Collaborative,” said Dr. Robin Weinstein, Ed.D., president and founder of the M25 Initiative. “Inspira’s continued support has enabled us to house over 60 chronically homeless individuals with more to come. We are grateful for this great partnership.”
For more information about Inspira Health, please visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA. To stay connected with Inspira announcements and work being done in the community, please join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Inspira is proud to be the Official Health Care Partner of the Philadelphia Wings professional lacrosse team.
About Inspira Health
Inspira Health is a charitable nonprofit health care organization and a regional leader in physician training, with approximately 160 medical residents and fellows in nine nationally accredited specialty programs. The system, which traces its roots to 1899, comprises three hospitals, a comprehensive cancer center, several multi-specialty health centers and a total of more than 150 access points. These include urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; sleep medicine labs; cardiac testing facilities; digestive health and wound care centers; home care and hospice; and more than 30 primary and specialty physician practices in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Camden and Atlantic counties. For more information about Inspira Health, visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.
