Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with Unite Us, today announces the expansion of the Mid-Atlantic Community Network in the Greater Baltimore area of Maryland. The new network will address vital social health through a comprehensive community resource linking social service organizations, health care providers and public agencies in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create unmet economic and social needs that are barriers to health and well-being for many Americans. In Baltimore, the unemployment rate hit a high of 11.6 during the pandemic; many are now facing food insecurity, homelessness and other challenges. The Mid-Atlantic Community Network launched in Washington, D.C. and suburban Maryland in June and has already made more than 560 referrals to connect community members for social service assistance. Now, the program expands to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Howard and Harford counties and Baltimore City. The network will expand to Northern Virginia in 2021.
“We recognize that a person’s health is significantly impacted by what happens outside of a health care facility,” said Skelly Wingard, vice president of Care Continuum for Kaiser Permanente. “The Mid-Atlantic Community Network brings a vital connection and coordination between caregivers, social service organizations and community members as we work together to improve health and help the community thrive. We are pleased to expand this network into the Greater Baltimore area.”
Kaiser Permanente is providing free access to this community network for all non-profit organizations, local governments, community clinics and hospitals.
