#SystemsofCare

#SocialCareSeries: Navigating the Maze — The Sequential Barriers in the Help-Seeking Pathway

In our past two #SocialCareSeries, we explored the formal “Bureaucratic Hurdles” that complicate access to social services and the “Invisible Walls” of stigma and isolation that hinder informal support. However, these barriers do not appear all at once. Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) have found that, in addition to identifying formal and informal barriers, these barriers appear in a sequential order within the help-seeking pathway. Identifying

#SocialCareSeries: Understanding Informal Barriers to Seeking Help

In our last #SocialCareSeries, we broke down formal barriers to accessing social services. Bureaucratic hurdles, information gaps, and identity-based discrimination often determine whether individuals can successfully navigate formal support networks such as government programs, social service organizations, and nonprofits. However, even when resources are available, many people struggle to reach out for help, and this hesitation is often less visible. These challenges function as invisible walls, not visible from the

#SocialCareSeries Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Formal Barriers to Accessing Social Services

Millions of Americans struggle to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and healthcare services each year. However, only a small fraction of those in need receive help from government and non-profit agencies. Why is this the case? Researchers at the Northwestern Network for Social Impact (NNSI) have found that the pathway from fulfilling needs to receiving assistance is not straightforward. Numerous barriers prevent individuals from accessing formal support channels—structured

The Five Pillars of Social Care Infrastructure

We often think of infrastructure as physical structures that keep a society running, like highways, railways, and water pipes. However, some of the most vital systems in our lives are less noticeable. The system that connects people in need with the support they qualify for, we call this social infrastructure: Social infrastructure = systems that organize and manage complex health and human service referral systems, eligibility criteria, and financial compensation

Project DeLorean: A promising solution to the Veteran benefits take-up gap through an intentional outreach model

The “take-up gap” describes the disparity between individuals eligible for social support programs and those who ultimately receive benefits. This challenge is especially pronounced among Veterans, who often face barriers such as complex bureaucracies, stigma, and lack of awareness. Project DeLorean, initiated by Veterans Services of the Carolinas (VSC) under Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), addresses this gap through a strategic and personalized outreach model to connect high-need Veterans

Redefining Success in Veteran Referral Networks: The Trajectories of Care Metric

By Matilda Le Assessing the effectiveness of veteran referral networks has traditionally focused on the volume of services provided, but this approach overlooks the crucial question: Are these services truly enhancing client outcomes in the long run? The Trajectories of Care (ToC) metric, developed by NNSI researchers, offers a solution by providing a more client-centered evaluation of how veterans navigate care networks and how their needs evolve. In this interview,