Health and Social Integration Platform
Join the Resource Connection Network Action Team
This team works to co-design a sustainable medical and social system integration tool using technology to share information and connect existing platforms across sectors.
Resource Connection Network: The Health and Social Integration Platform
Sonoma Connect | Sonoma Unidos is partnering with Sonoma Community Action Network, United Way of the Wine Country 211, Aliados Health, partnering organizations and community members to co-design and implement the Resource Connection Network. The Resource Connection Network is Sonoma County’s local name for our instance of the technology “NinePatch”. The Resource Connection Network supports closed-loop referrals across organizations and sectors to better support community members navigate and access resources. Through integration of data systems, we create a more cohesive and manageable ecosystem to support our community.
Inspired by the Community Information Exchange model, the Resource Connection Network will be the integrated technology, focused on referral information exchange and interoperability of existing data systems across sectors.
Why It is Needed
Sonoma County residents and service providers are not always aware of available resources and often there is no easy way to access these resources.
Sonoma County social service and health providers use many different data systems resulting in duplication of data entry, inefficiency in our system of care, and an uncoordinated approach to reducing disparities and inequity in access to services.
Given increasing need and demand, improved tools to support cross-sector referrals and workflows are needed now.
Early Adopters of the Resource Connection Network
How Do Closed-loop Referrals Work?
Closed-loop referrals can occur among and between any referring partners, such as tribal partners, schools, government, social service providers, healthcare providers, and others.
An example of a closed-loop referral: a healthcare professionals sends patient information to a community-based organization (CBO) to help address a patient’s needs that are typically better served outside of clinical workflows. The CBO provides an array of different support programs within the community, including services that address a patient's social needs or address underlying causes of poor health outcomes with the goal of positively impacting the patient’s overall health outcome(s). The CBO can then give feedback on that referral's outcome back to the referring individual/entity (CRISP).
See How Closed-loop Referrals Impact Individuals
Maria’s experience accessing resources and support improves when the Resource Connection Network is used to refer her to resources in her community. This case study illustrates how different her experience accessing support is with and without closed-loop referrals.
Key Functionalities
Award-winning “Whole Person” client profile
Closed-loop referrals, intelligent resource directory
Screening and case management tools
Capacity for interoperability between referral platforms
Plus powerful, customizable dashboards, and reporting
Implementation Timeline
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STEP 1
Community engagement to drive platform goals, priorities, technical criteria
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STEP 2
Platform chosen and acquired
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STEP 3
Build system and workflows with community input
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STEP 4
Initial implementation and bug fixes with pilot cohort
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STEP 5
Outreach and Training
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STEP 6
Expanded implementation with additional partners
WE ARE HERE
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STEP 7
Build out and implementation of additional functionality
How Was NinePatch Selected for the Resource Connection Network?
Technology Criteria
This document lists desired criteria and specific components for the medical and social system integration technology platform.
Technology Demonstrations
See the technology demonstration from different vendors to learn more about the features they offered and how they aligned with our needs.