Our access to food, safe housing, transportation, financial resources and social connections directly impacts our health. These social and environmental factors, also known as Social Determinants (or Drivers) of Health, are one of Emplify Health by Gundersen's public health priorities. Emplify is taking an active role to understand and address these needs for the patients we serve.
Community Resource Connector volunteers, or CRC's, are specially trained volunteers who support this work. CRC's work in partnership with our Office of Population Health staff and community organizations to connect patients with resources to address their social needs, such as transportation, mental health, housing, food, financial, and social support. CRC's will:
- Review patient referrals, based on a completed social needs assessment, from the care team.
- Communicate with patients to identify and understand needs.
- Utilize a resource database to connect patients with local resources in transportation, housing, food, financial and social support.
- Initiate contact with the community-based organization, depending on the patient’s desired level of support.
- Initiate follow up with patients to ensure they connect with the resources needed.
- Initiate communication back to the care team and/or other external organizations regarding patient needs, as needed.
This volunteer work takes place onsite at our Office of Population Health and shifts are available Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:00am - 5:00pm. CRC's commit to a service term of 2 semesters or 9 months, and a minimum of one 3-hour shift per week, as well as participate in 8+ hours of initial and ongoing training to learn the necessary skills, tools and workflows. Click the video link below to hear from some of our current CRC volunteers!
This volunteer opportunity is open to anyone age 18 or over; participation is contingent upon completing an application and successful interview process
