Two-minute impact
The program, called Reentry Health Connect, aims to link former incarcerated individuals—who are in the midst of community reintegration—with medical care, county and nonprofit officials announced in an April 15 news release.
The program is funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, Kirby Carlock, marketing and communications coordinator for AccessHealth, said in an email. AccessHealth was one of 51 health care centers in the nation to receive a portion of the $52 million allocation.
Zooming in
The program aims to provide a proactive approach to care, as individuals are the most vulnerable to overdoses and complications from chronic illnesses after they’re released from jail, Carlock said. Additionally, the program aims to ensure individuals have connections to resources for housing stability, food security, transportation access and employment opportunities.
According to the release, available services include:
- Comprehensive health screenings
- Primary care
- Mental health support
- Assistance with health insurance enrollment
- Coordination of social services
“As justice-involved populations are most likely financially indigent, we anticipate this, and will be using funding wisely and per policy to ensure access to medications and care,” he said.
Why it matters
Research from the National Institutes of Health shows up to 80% of individuals who leave incarceration have chronic medical, psychiatric or substance use conditions.
“Some individuals even commit offenses to access medical care they otherwise can't afford,” AccessHealth officials said in the release. “Reentry Health Connect aims to prevent such scenarios by expanding access to care in the community, ultimately benefiting public health and public safety alike—and reducing the burden on taxpayers.”
Going forward
The program is set to launch in June with an initial pilot program length of two years, Carlock said.
