On September 15, 2026, the Bridges to Resolution Summit took place at the Robert S. Strauss Building in Washington, D.C., hosted by Syracuse University and sponsored by The Heinz Endowments, Northwestern University, and the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. It brought together state Medicaid directors, healthcare executives, public human services leaders, and researchers around one central question: how do we move social care networks beyond software platforms and

For health and human service (HHS) organizations, a referral is more than a handoff; it is a critical opportunity to move a client from crisis to stability. However, the fragmented nature of our current systems often forces vulnerable individuals to act as “system integrators,” navigating a fractured landscape alone. When these connections fail, the consequences are documented: poorer health outcomes, increased family stress, and diminished mental well-being.To address these gaps,

Bridges to Resolution highlighted that even a well-designed HHS Referral Network can become a “Bridge to Nowhere,” a system that screens for needs but can’t actually deliver on them. That risk exists because of the gap between social need and healthcare service delivery. The two areas are deeply intertwined, yet the agencies that provide health and human services operate as a fragmented system.As millions of Americans struggle to meet basic

Editor’s Note: The following conversation brings together perspectives from four community hub thought leaders. Responses have been edited for clarity and length and organized by topic rather than presented as separate interviews. Where multiple interviewees responded to the same question, their perspectives are presented together to highlight both shared insights and differing experiences.Community care hubs and health and human service referral networks are designed to connect organizations that serve the

Improving health outcomes requires more than expanding access to medical care. For many individuals, factors such as housing, transportation, food security, and behavioral health services have just as much impact on overall well-being. As rural areas account for more than 60% of all Health Professional Shortage Areas in primary care, dental, and behavioral health, connecting people in these areas to these resources depends on strong coordination between health care providers

For nonprofits and mission-driven organizations, data is a tool for learning, improving programs, and making the best strategic decisions. Strong data practices can help organizations understand what’s working, adapt in real time, and demonstrate impact. Professional data use goes beyond basic reporting or compliance. It refers to how organizations actively embed data into the day-to-day decision-making process to enhance programs, allocate resources, guide strategy, assess outcomes, evaluate impact, and predict future