According to the National Library of Medicine, 70-80% of a patient’s overall health can be determined by socioeconomic factors such as access to education, food, housing and more. When a patient has less access to community resources, it can lead to avoidable differences in their health.
Initiated by Healthy Sheboygan, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital provided funding for UW-Green Bay (the university has a Sheboygan campus) to develop a curriculum to educate community members on how to navigate local resources effectively.
Geared towards health and human service professionals, agencies and other engaged individuals, the Community Access and Navigation Training Certificate program aims to increase awareness of resources and how to steer clients toward the correct resources. By breaking down silos within the community, the program serves as a critical tool to connect those needing resources when they need them.
The pilot program welcomed its first cohort of participants in Fall 2024. The 10-week program follows a hybrid model and covers topics such as:
- Crucial conversations
- Trauma-informed care
- Equitable and inclusive services
- Customer service and wrap-around care
- Social determinants of health
With sponsorships from United Way Sheboygan County (for the $75 fee) and the full endorsement of the Sheboygan County Public Health Department, the program is the result of a county-wide collaboration that will positively impact patients.
HSHS hopes to broaden its impact by replicating the program in other communities it serves such as with HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.
