California

On February 9, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that eight states and the District of Columbia (DC) have been selected to participate in a new federal initiative, known as the “Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator” (Accelerator), to help strengthen partnerships across housing, disability, aging, and health sectors; access available federal programs and resources, and maximize federal flexibilities to help keep people healthy. The Accelerator will help these states and DC unlock critical resources to reduce homelessness by addressing health-related social needs, such as housing-related services...

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently released a brief providing an overview of how California and Ohio engaged multiple collaborators, partnered and collaborated with public and private entities, used data and evidence, and integrated equity and inclusivity to identify key priorities and set specific goals and outcomes to advance healthy aging for all and support for caregiving through 2030 and beyond. Based on NASHP’s review, these two states are at the forefront of incorporating equity into infrastructure, data collection, and collaboration to support policy for older adults and family caregivers within their states.

The Center for Health Care Strategies has released a report exploring the benefits of developing Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) interventions that address the medical, behavioral, and social components of health for Medicaid enrollees. The report examines the need for community-based organizations (CBOs) that specialize in social care, such as food and housing services, to partner with health care organizations (HCOs) to provide more equitable, whole-person care. Drawing from leading-edge state Medicaid programs that require formal CBO-HCO partnerships, the report provides best practices and implementation considerations for other states interested in strengthening CBO-HCO relationships.

The Center for Health Care Strategies released an article on the advancement of equitable practices and explores advancing integrated models for further inclusion of all populations in service delivery. The article explores best practices from Hill Country Health and Wellness Center in rural northern California as they work towards greater implementation of equitable practices.

This blog post reviews considerations to strengthen provider networks in California to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities receive services that meet their needs. The post focuses on strategies for partnering with three key provider types: (1) community-based organizations; (2) institutional long-term care facilities; and (3) Medicare providers. Lessons from California can help inform other states and Medicaid managed care organizations across the country.

This brief explores California’s experiences using a Master Plan for Aging (MPA) to respond to unexpected challenges and opportunities. It also examines how California used their MPA to use state-led programs to address health equity. The brief looks at some of the other benefits of using an MPA including building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, government agencies, and the public. The brief is intended to provide information on California’s experiences with an MPA to help other states build support for developing an MPA.

A Master Plan for Aging (MPA) is a cross-sector, state-led strategic planning process that can help states transform the infrastructure and coordination of services that support older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.This brief outlines unexpected benefits of the MPA process, and illustrates how they can help states respond to new priorities and challenges, such as public health emergencies and health equity.

On December 16, 2021 ATI Advisory released a report titled Modernizing California’s Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP): Strategy Recommendations. HICAP is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in the state of California, which is run by the California Department of Aging (CDA).

The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Promoting Healthy Aging for People with Long-Term Physical Disabilities recently published a health policy brief on state responses to the social isolation and loneliness faced by adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CMS recently released a Report to Congress highlighting approaches five state programs implemented to address housing instability and improve treatment outcomes for people with Substance Use Disorder. Initiatives mentioned in the report focus on: providing housing-related supports that facilitate access to community resources; sharing data across systems to identify and target those in need for resources; and partnerships building across state and local health and housing systems and providers.