Human Services Secretary Highlights Focus on Social Determinants of Health, Whole-Person Health Care and Employment Programs

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, June 5 -- The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued the following news:

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today joined the Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) and Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) for a policy forum on efforts from state and local organizations to address social determinants of health, such as food access, employment status, and educational level as a way to support the whole person and promote better long-term health outcomes.

"Social determinants of health can take many forms and are often barriers to good physical and mental health and economic well-being. When these conditions build up, it can make a person feel as though no matter what they do, they will be unable to advance and better their situation," said Secretary Miller. "If we do not seriously consider them when treating a person for a health condition or helping them prepare for success in the workforce, we are not fully addressing the barriers that people may not be able to overcome on their own."

The forum centered around differing approaches to integrating social determinants into health care and better leveraging relationships between health care providers, local human services offices, and community partners. The event, held at the Philadelphia Medical Society, brought together more than 100 leaders from the healthcare advocacy community across Southeastern Pennsylvania.

At the state level, DHS is working to incorporate social determinants of health and barrier remediation efforts across DHS' programs. The department is exploring ways to better connect health care providers and social services organizations to improve coordination between both entities to better monitor referrals, individuals' use and progress with services, and work together towards better long-term health outcomes. The department is also working with providers, managed care organizations, social services organizations, and other stakeholders on an assessment to determine how individuals are affected by social determinants of health. The goal is to establish a uniform way to evaluate risks and opportunities to better serve patients and clients.

DHS also is focusing on increasing opportunities for whole-person supports and barrier remediation in employment and training opportunities.

DHS is partnering with the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) to redesign employment and training programs for Pennsylvanians receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), shifting their focus from job placement to long-term success through comprehensive case management that will address barriers like education level, transportation, and child care and prioritize long-term goals.

DHS's efforts are part of Governor Wolf's Statewide Workforce, Education, and Accountability Program (SWEAP) to rebuild Pennsylvania's economy and prioritize skills training from birth to retirement.

One SWEAP component in the 2019-20 budget includes a proposed $5 million to support start-up and implementation costs for up to seven Parent Pathways programs, a post-secondary education and training program targeted towards single-parent families. Modeled off Misericordia University's Women with Children Program, these models will help break barriers to post-secondary education for single-parent families and provide housing, child care, and other supportive services to help change long-term economic trajectories for single-parent families.

"By prioritizing barrier remediation and integrating social determinants of health into the core of our work, we have a better chance to make a meaningful impact and help people achieve health, well-being, and the step up that should be possible," said Secretary Miller. "These efforts are an investment that can help individuals and families break intergenerational cycles of poor health, address barriers to success in the workforce, and improve overall well-being."

For more information about DHS, visit www.dhs.pa.gov.