The Kresge Foundation has awarded $1.5 million in grants to five organizations to enhance their efforts to integrate their health and human services systems and create more seamless, person-centered experiences for individuals and families seeking support in cities across the country.

Integrating health and human services systems requires changes to policies, practices, funding, data systems, values and culture, Katie Byerly, Kresge Health program officer said.

This includes implementing, aligning and improving data sharing systems; reallocating and blending health and human services funding streams; ensuring person-centered approaches; establishing shared values and goals; and creating strong and effective feedback loops for continuous quality improvement among partners.

“We believe that integrated systems move beyond crisis stabilization, triage or treatment to accelerate social and economic mobility and health equity. These systems should be informed by individuals and families and create equitable pathways to opportunity so that people and communities can thrive,” Joelle-Jude Fontaine, Kresge Human Services senior program officer said.

With this funding, organizations will advance existing integration efforts that strengthen connections across health and human services systems to improve the health and well-being and social and economic mobility of children and families.

Grantees include:

• Alameda County Public Health Department, California
• Arlington County Health and Human Services Department, Virginia
• Hennepin County, Minnesota
• Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department, Maryland
• Solano County Health and Social Services Department, California

The organizations will be supported by the Center for Health and Research Transformation, which serves as the foundation’s learning partner and technical assistance provider for the initiative.