Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York Founders Hillside Family of Agencies and Northern Rivers Family Services Announce Contract Award from Department of Health
State Funding will Allow Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York to Bring Change to the Process of Health Care Reform
ROCHESTER, N.Y., AND ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, the Department of Health announced that it is awarding a contract to the newly formed Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York, LLC (CHHUNY), founded to operate as a Health Home for Children. A Health Home provides care management to high-need Medicaid recipients to achieve improved outcomes and better access to services. Two leading children’s health and human services agencies, Hillside Family of Agencies of Rochester and Northern Rivers Family Services of Albany, led the charge to establish CHHUNY, a values-driven and evidence-based model of care management. The value of the contract will be contingent on enrollment and will encompass 54 counties in New York State.
About CHHUNY
- CHHUNY is an LLC that comprises 12 well-respected child and family nonprofits and health care organizations across upstate New York as board members and a network of more than 100 child and family nonprofits.
- The new care management service is operated by CHHUNY and will be delivered by local agencies across upstate New York.
- CHHUNY will provide children, youth and their families in the Medicaid system with a care coach who will help decide what services are needed and help identify and secure those services.
- Many families feel alone in their efforts to find services for their children — CHHUNY will ensure that each family gets the ongoing help and support it needs.
- CHHUNY is highly individualized and attuned to the needs of youth and families who have experienced trauma and adversity.
“The children’s service system is a very complicated system for families to navigate, and we are excited to partner with our board member organizations and network of providers to empower and equip families and children to manage their own health and wellness,” said Clyde Comstock, COO of Hillside Family of Agencies and president of the board of CHHUNY. “THE CHHUNY board member organization’s long history and experience with children and families allows us to bring special value to the process of health care reform and to the transition of children’s Medicaid activity into a managed-care environment.”
“Providing access to quality physical and behavioral health care is vital,” said John Henley, CEO of Northern Rivers Family Services and vice president of the CHHUNY board. “Our skill, knowledge and vision aligned with the compassionate care we have provided for more than 150 years will support the growth and development of the children and families we serve.”
Joining Comstock and Henley on the CHHUNY Board are statewide children’s health and human services industry leaders, including Jim Coder (New Directions), Kevin Connally (Hope House), Carl Coyle (Liberty Resources), Bonnie Glazer (Child & Adolescent Treatment Services), Jim McGuirk (Astor Services), Kristen Mucitelli-Heath (St. Joseph’s Hospital), Paige Pierce (Families Together), Bob Roberts (House of Good Shepherd), Terry Scofido (Baker Victory) and Bill Wolfe (Lasalle School).
Health Homes Overview
A Health Home provides care management to high-need Medicaid recipients to achieve improved outcomes and better access. All of the Health Home professionals involved in the care of children will communicate with one another so that all medical, behavioral health, educational and social service needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner. A care manager coordinates all of the services a child requires, including those being covered by managed-care organizations. The care manager ensures they receive everything necessary to stay healthy. All the services and partners are considered collectively as the “Health Home.”
Some of the desired outcomes for members participating in a Health Home include improved health care and health outcomes and lower Medicaid costs, along with reduced preventable hospitalizations and ER visits.
For more information and details on Children’s Health Home of Upstate New York, visit www.childrenshealthhome.com
About Hillside Family of Agencies
Hillside Family of Agencies provides comprehensive health, education, and human services for children and families whose challenges threaten their ability to realize their full potential. For over 175 years, Hillside has partnered with communities across New York and Maryland to offer more than 100 coordinated programs that provide comprehensive, cradle-to-career services for thousands of families in residential treatment, schools, homes, the workplace, and the community. Services include an array of programs from child welfare, mental health, youth and family development to juvenile justice, special education, development disabilities and safety net services. Hillside Family of Agencies operates across Western and Central, New York and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Hillside Family of Agencies comprises affiliates Hillside Children’s Center, Hillside Children’s Foundation, Hillside Service Solutions, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection and Snell Farm Children’s Center.
About Northern Rivers Family Services
Northern Rivers Family Services was established in 2012 through affiliation with longstanding family service agencies Parsons Child and Family Center and Northeast Parent & Child Society. Together, the 1,300-strong workforce of Northern Rivers and affiliates serve more than 13,000 children and families in 41 counties each year, with $85 million invested through more than 60 social service programs. Northern Rivers builds a strong, successful and healthy future for our children, families and communities through quality services, collaboration and innovative leadership. Follow Northern Rivers on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.