Pathways Community HUB Launched in San Joaquin County to Address Health Disparities in Underserved Populations

San Joaquin County health and insurance providers, nonprofit organizations, and community health workers are launching an innovative initiative to improve the health and wellbeing of underserved populations in Stockton and surrounding communities.

In August, the Community Foundation of San Joaquin, Dignity Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center, and partners announced a new partnership with Pathways Community HUB InstituteSM (PCHI) to address barriers to health experienced by so many individuals and families in San Joaquin County,  including lack of housing,  employment, or inadequate access to certain medical and behavioral health services. 

PCHI is a national nonprofit that partners with hospitals, clinics, health plans, community-based organizations, and community health workers (CHW) to identify socially disadvantaged patients and connect them to appropriate providers and services. Using an outcome-based payment approach, CHWs work with individuals to help remove physical and socioeconomic barriers to achieve optimal health.

The Community Foundation of San Joaquin was selected through the competitive process to serve as the administrative entity for the San Joaquin Pathways Community HUB.  “We are honored to have been selected to launch this innovative program in partnership with a core team of organizations committed to improving health outcomes for our most disadvantaged communities,” stated Moses Zapien, CEO of the Community Foundation of San Joaquin. 

Bringing stability and health equity to those struggling in San Joaquin County is a core value of Dignity Health. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Community Foundation of San Joaquin County and are grateful to our local partners in their efforts to bring this incredible initiative to San Joaquin County,” said Tammy Shaff, Community Health Director, St. Joseph’s Medical Center. “The collaboration will provide a much-needed convener to fill current gaps in care to ultimately create long-lasting health improvements for our community.”

In its initial phase, the HUB will focus on providing care coordination to support Black maternal and infant health with the goals of improving birth outcomes and addressing documented health disparities. Over time, the HUB will expand to serve a broader population and other types of health risk factors. According to a Center for Disease Control 2020 study, Black women die from pregnancy related causes at more than three (3) times the rate of White, Hispanic and Asian women.

The Community Foundation of San Joaquin is also recruiting for a Program Manager to help lead the San Joaquin Pathways Community Hub Initiative. To learn more about PCHI or are interested in joining the partnership, please contact the Community Foundation at (209) 943-2375.