Referrals from clinical settings to social services in the Sarasota, FL community increased during COVID. This Systems for Action study investigates how the local community is handling the increased need for capacity. A community survey was conducted over the spring and summer of 2021. Eighty-eight (88) organizations were invited to participate and 67 responded, resulting in a response rate of 76%. Of those who responded, the study network shows 1,572 partnerships. Research partners at Visible Network Labs compiled and analyzed the results. Each organization that completed the survey received access to a personalized data profile. A community conversation regarding the survey took place during a data share session on September 23, 2021 via Zoom. 

The welcome and introductions were given by Dr. Kameron Hodgens, Executive Director & CEO of The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center. Dr. Danielle Varda, CEO of Visible Network Labs provided an overview of using network science in one's work, followed by Dr. Rose Hardy, a Visible Network Labs data scientist, who expained how to understand survey results. A Q&A session with participants concluded the data share meeting.

Takeaways:

• Levels of trust between community organizations are very high, and 40% of partnerships have become stronger since the pandemic began.

• Referral relationships in particular are strong, but many are not sure if successfully addressing unmet social needs in the community.

• The network map of community partnerships shows that no one type of organization is dominant, but that there is opportunity to better connect and integrate health care organizations into the network.

A link to the recording is available here.

Details:

Project: Changes in Capacity to Absorb Clinical-to-Community Referrals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Video: Watch here