Russell Wells was on a downward spiral. The 57-year-old Mount Vernon man has diabetes and bipolar disorder and had been a substance abuser for 30 years before having a stroke in 2007. He was one of the first to enroll in the Westchester Cares Action Program when it launched three years ago.
"I was a mess," he said. "When I got into Westchester Cares, they called me every week and they came and visited me. They gave me that encouragement. I've started to eat right again, I take my medications on time. It's unbelievable what they've done for me. As long as I stay on this track, I'm good.''
Wells shared his story and publicly thanked the Westchester Cares Action Program today as the agency was honored for its outstanding commitment to public health.
On behalf of the Westchester County Board of Health, board president Douglas G. Aspros, DVM, presented the 2012 Distinguished Public Health Service Award today to the Westchester Cares Action Program at The Sharing Community in Yonkers.
"Through extraordinary hands-on outreach, this program finds hard-to-reach residents and gets them the comprehensive health care and social support they need," County Executive Robert P. Astorino said. "Residents avoid unneeded emergency room visits that can place an undue burden on both taxpayers and our local hospitals. This exemplary program provides quality care and saves us all money."
Aspros noted that the Board of Health was impressed by the program's shoe leather approach to enrolling clients.
"By approaching potential clients at shelters, soup kitchens and laundromats, WCAP field workers engage clients, gain their trust and persuade them to enroll," Aspros said. "The personal touch continues with calls and home visits. Since the program's inception in 2009, WCAP has helped more than 250 clients find appropriate health services and learn how to manage their own chronic illnesses. Clients have secured safe housing, found employment and vocational training with the guidance of WCAP case managers and peer support specialists. They have even located the clothing and furniture clients need to get on with their lives."
Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, executive director of Westchester Cares Action Program and Senior Vice
President of Clinical Services at parent agency Hudson Health Plan, accepted on behalf of the not-for-profit health plan.
"The social needs of vulnerable populations far exceed their health issues," explains Margaret Leonard, MS, RN-BC, FNP, Executive Director of WCAP and Senior Vice President of Clinical Services at Hudson Health Plan. "So what we did was create a so-called 'health home' that includes integrated care for medical and non-medical needs alike. You can't begin to deal with the medical issues until you've resolved the social issues. The first concern of a homeless person with diabetes is finding a place to live, not going for an eye examination."
Since this pilot program began in 2009, Westchester Cares Action Program has helped more than 250 residents handle their chronic medical needs, substance abuse and mental health concerns, as well as assisted them in securing permanent housing, clothes and furnishings, employment and vocational training. Its charge was to sign up the costliest users of Medicaid services in the state, who had two or more chronic conditions, and provide them with integrated care to reduce their overdependence on emergency room visits for their medical needs, cutting costs and improving their health.
"WCAP is one of the first programs to prove how successful this model can be," Ms. Leonard notes. "Not only has WCAP reduced inpatient hospitalizations 55 percent for people enrolled in the program for at least two years, it's helped them gain their lives back."
Noting that this award is presented to recognize Public Health Week and the people and programs that contribute to public health, Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, also thanked those who have dedicated their careers to improving public health, including community partners, health department staffers and inspiring individuals.
"The responsibilities we have are vast and the services that we provide are vital,'' she said. "We couldn't keep Westchester's residents as healthy and as secure as they are without help from many other outside agencies and dedicated people, including the Board of Health."
For more information about public health, visit the Westchester County Department of Health Web site at www.westchestergov.com/health.
Photo (left to right): County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Georganne Chapin, Margaret Leonard, Douglas G. Aspros and Commissioner of Health Dr. Sherlita Amler