#SystemsofCare

Bridges to Resolution: Why Design is the “Backbone” of Effective Referrals

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

How States Are Using Rural Transformation Dollars to Strengthen Health and Human Service Referral Networks

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

#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

#VeteranCareSeries: Senior Veterans and Co-Occurring Needs

Nearly half of the nation’s veterans are now over age 65 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). As the veteran population ages, their needs are aging with them. Our first blog in the #VeteransCare Series focused on the challenges that co-occur early on military transition. This second blog explores what co-occurring needs look like for older veterans and why coordinated care becomes even more essential with age. Physical Health, Mental Health, and

#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