Program Spotlight: Community Health

At Jesse Tree we recognize that access to affordable quality healthcare is often a barrier to maintaining stable housing. For this reason Jesse Tree has partnered with Full Circle Health and Blue Cross of Idaho to bring on a Community Health Worker (CHW). It has been 6 months since we started our Community Health Program, so we're taking a look at our successes and challenges so far.

Since the inception of the program, we've supported over 60 clients facing health barriers.

The goal of the Community Health Worker is to help Jesse Tree clients address physical and mental health and wellness needs. Often those experiencing a housing crisis will let their physical and mental healthcare needs get pushed to the back burner. Our Community Health Worker connects Jesse Tree clients with existing resources they qualify for while they work with a case manager to resolve their housing crisis. 

Here are just a few of the things the CHW helps with:

• Getting connected or referred to a local health clinic regardless of income or insurance 

• Assisting access to various community resources such as Medicaid, SSA disability insurance, SNAP, obtaining government issued identification and more

• Attending doctors visits with clients to help them understand the diagnosis and next steps

Already, the CHW has collaborated and fostered professional relationships with Saint Alphonsus, Saint Luke’s, Genesis Health, Family Caregiver Navigator, Social Security Administration, WCA Boise, Molina Healthcare, FACES of Hope, Deseret Industries, St. Vincent De Paul, WICAP, and additional community partners. 

To learn more about our community health program click here.