On Friday, July 23rd, Karen Beavor, President & CEO with the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, Kathryn Lawler, Executive Director with ARCHI, and Karen Cramer, Chief Community Impact Officer with TechBridge joined MAX to share how agencies across metro Atlanta are engaged in active conversations about how to better coordinate care so that those seeking assistance can benefit from a “no wrong door” approach.
One common thread to these important conversations is how to coordinate service delivery to both invert the burden away from those seeking assistance and to reduce the growing data entry and administrative tasks that occupy increasing percentages of staff time. In addition, the session raised several key points as to why a more coordinated system of care is called for in the Atlanta area, including but not limited to:
- The system of care (e.g., physical health, housing, transportation, food and nutrition, social services, criminal justice and legal services, income and employment, behavior health) is complex, disjointed, and often does not achieve results.
- The pandemic has forced/fostered innovation, but the higher volume of services has amplified the system’s inefficiencies.
- There are many challenges and roadblocks affecting the ability of individuals to receive the assistance they need, including but not limited to: eligibility, accessibility, administrative burden (paperwork), time to process / process delays, and service availability / wait list.
- Significant service dollars are on their way and there is a growing desire to drive lasting systems change; addressing inequities requires system change.
- The solution is community infrastructure that supports a person-centered, coordinated system of care.
With 28 community and state agencies already on board for co-developing a more coordinated system of care, Atlanta is ready for nothing short of developing a “center for social transformation,” explains Beavor, Lawler, and Cramer. The partners invite anyone interested in addressing the underlying and persistent inequities that affect access to services and supports to join them in developing a more coordinated system of care. To join this growing group, agencies can sign a statement of support and send to [email protected]. Click here for the statement of support.
Special thanks to MAX board member Kevin Shea, President of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) for hosting the session and to MAX board member Daniela Perry, Vice President with the Georgia Chamber for moderating the session.
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ABOUT MAX MINUTES
Launched in 2014, the mission of MAX is to advance economic competitiveness in the Atlanta region by strengthening connections, collaborations, and practices among workforce developers and organizations engaged in workforce development.
Through our webinar series, MAX Minutes, MAX seeks to bring timely insights to providers, intermediaries, and other partners in workforce. MAX Minutes features talks by key experts in the Atlanta region and beyond on important workforce matters.