FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEATTLE, WA – The HealthierHere Community Hub is expanding its network of support for King County residents looking for essential health and social services. Today, HealthierHere announced four new organizations selected to join its cohort of Case Management Partners contracted to help residents navigate and connect to culturally appropriate resources in their communities that address their health-related social needs. Following a focused, competitive procurement process, Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington, Peer Washington, POCAAN, and United Territories of Pacific Islanders Washington (UTOPIA Washington) were selected for their demonstrated experience providing community-based care coordination services to diverse populations.

The priority populations served by the new partners include one or more of the following focus areas of the procurement:  

• Formerly incarcerated individuals (reentry)​

• Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD)​

• LGBTQIA+ individuals​

• Homeless/unstably housed individuals and families​

• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI) community members​

The HealthierHere Community Hub is a free, confidential service in King County that pairs people with one-on-one assistance to help them find and apply for the resources they or their families need - including food, utility assistance, health care, transportation, housing, and more. All King County residents are eligible, regardless of insurance, income, and immigration or housing status.  

Individuals referred to the HealthierHere Community Hub are matched with a Community Based Worker (CBW) at one of the Case Management Partner organizations, who often speak their language, share their background, and have experience navigating services for themselves. CBWs work with individuals one-on-one to understand their needs and help them find available resources and services in the community.

“We are thrilled to welcome these four incredible organizations to the HealthierHere Community Hub, and in turn, open the door to a wider variety of resources and support for the people of King County in this critical moment,” said John Kim, CEO of HealthierHere. “In the face of increasingly dire cuts to the social safety net that everyday people rely on, we will continue to bring together organizations across sectors to expand and strengthen our network of care that is rooted in trust, quality, and community.”

Since its official launch in July 2024, the HealthierHere Community Hub and its partners have served over 3,877 enrolled individuals in King County. To meet clients’ growing needs and challenges, in addition to the four new Case Management Partners, the Community Hub is also increasing the capacity of its 16 renewing partners, bringing the total count of full-time Community-Based Workers to 78. Across this expanded cohort, the Community Hub’s CBWs speak over 30 different languages and reflect the diversity of King County’s communities.

"For our NHPI communities, quality of life is at the heart of everything we do,” said Sili Savusa, Executive Director of Pacific Islander Community Association of WA. “HealthierHere plays a vital role in helping us uplift and support our families, while staying rooted in the values that define and guide us."  

“We are so excited to be part of expanding HealthierHere's Community Hub, furthering our mission of cultivating powerful healthy lives with such amazing partners,” shared Cody West, Chief Program Officer of Peer Washington.

“POCAAN is honored to join the HealthierHere Community Hub as a Case Management Partner,” said Bishop Steven Sawyer, Executive Director of POCAAN. “This collaboration is a vital opportunity to further our mission of providing culturally responsive, community-based care to those most impacted by health inequities — including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people affected by substance use, and individuals reentering society after incarceration. We look forward to working alongside HealthierHere and fellow partners to connect our communities to the services they deserve. Together, we are Promoting Health, Mobilizing Community, and Transforming Lives.”

HealthierHere continues to seek to grow and strengthen the Community Hub, providing ongoing training, technical assistance, relationship building, and funding to Case Management Partners. It will also launch new capacity building opportunities for more King County organizations in 2025 and beyond.

To sign up for the HealthierHere Community Hub:

Visit www.healthierhere.org/community-hub

OR

Call 1-833-453-0336  

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About HealthierHere

HealthierHere is a non-profit collaborative that partners with health, social service, community, and tribal organizations across King County, WA to eliminate health disparities and improve the health and well-being of people here. Guided by the voices of our community, we provide expertise, resources, and robust data and technology solutions to connect and strengthen our health and social care systems. Learn more at www.healthierhere.org.

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