A new residential program for integrated clinical care recognizes housing as health care

Hope Services Hawaiʻi and ʻOhana Health Plan launch a new residential program for integrated clinical care in a first-of-its-kind health plan and housing agency partnership.

‘Ohana Health Plan, a Centene Corporation company and provider of government-sponsored managed care services in Hawaiʻi, and Hope Services, Hawaiʻi Island’s largest nonprofit homeless services provider, held a grand opening and blessing for the Hilo-based home and program, which offers transitional housing and structured support for its most vulnerable members experiencing homelessness.

The program addresses a critical gap in housing support for ‘Ohana’s highest acuity members experiencing homelessness, who also have behavioral health needs often combined with medical needs that are too complex for traditional subsidized housing.

“At ʻOhana Health Plan, we know that housing is healthcare, and we are committed to addressing housing through healthcare,” said president and CEO Scott Sivik. “Our integrated care hub extends the continuum of care by allowing our most vulnerable members to recover and receive care in a safe environment. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner in Hope Services Hawaiʻi to help us further our mission of transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time.”

The six-bed home in Hilo is reserved exclusively for ‘Ohana Health Plan members and provides integrated, sustained clinical care and case management for an average one-year
stay. The property is owned by the County of Hawaii, which has an existing lease with Hope
Services to provide emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The treatment-based residential program provides:

• behavioral health case management;
• licensed behavioral healht clinicican for therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation groups;
• advanced practice registered nurse for medication management;
• housing case managers;
• and a multi-disciplinary team working with health coordination for comprehensive care.

This model of concentrated access to care is expected to significantly reduce sudden and serious health problems that require immediate attention, thereby reducing acute emergency room or inpatient care expenses, and improving overall behavioral and physical health outcomes.

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and this partnership with ‘Ohana Health Plan is another step toward that vision,” said Hope Services Hawaiʻi CEO Brandee Menino. “We also want to mahalo the County of Hawaiʻi for their partnership, which is an invaluable resource for us to be able to make this happen. This innovative program represents what’s possible when we come together as a community to care for those who need it most.”

“Together we’re giving our most vulnerable neighbors a safe place to heal, rebuild, and find hope for the future,” she said.