Highmark launches online tool for pandemic

Due to the increased need for access to social determinants of health resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, Highmark Inc. is providing free, open access to an online social care network, Aunt Bertha, which serves as a referral tool for urgent needs.

According to a news release, Aunt Bertha connects people to resources that can assist with domains such as housing, utilities, medical supplies, food, government benefits, and legal services, and is available to all members and patients served across Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia.

“In this critical time of need, we sought the opportunity to fast-track the development of our Aunt Bertha platform to reach those who need access to food, housing and unemployment resources immediately,” said Brian Rinker, market president, eastern Pennsylvania, Highmark Health, according to the news release. “Our aim is to provide a more comprehensive, confidential and time-efficient referral service than traditional methods our patients and members may currently be seeking.”

Highmark has been working to launch Aunt Bertha but accelerated the process because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgent social needs of the community.

Thousands of nonprofits and social care providers serve their communities, but for many, navigating the system to get help can be difficult, time consuming and frustrating, especially during a time of heightened confusion and stress. Aunt Bertha allows users to find nearby community benefit organizations or CBOs — making it easier for people to access social services in their neighborhoods, for nonprofits to coordinate their efforts, and for healthcare providers to integrate social care into their work.

The Aunt Bertha directory contains geographic-specific information on social service agencies and CBOs across the United States, the news release said. COVID-19 specific resources also will be listed on the Aunt Bertha site. Once a zip code is entered, online users can filter for specific needs. There are no income restraints or financial cost to use Aunt Bertha. In addition to public access, providers, social workers and care coordinators across the Highmark Health enterprise can access information and recommend services.

“Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeing people all across the country join together to help their neighbors navigate this stressful time,” said Aunt Bertha founder and CEO Erine Gray, according to the news release. “We’re honored to be partnering with Highmark, and we continue to be impressed with their innovative approaches to helping their members and patients.”

Aunt Bertha can be accessed by visiting the Medical and Community Resources page at HighmarkAnswers.com.

The Aunt Bertha initiative is one of many led by Highmark’s social determinants of health task force. While social determinants of health is considered a relatively new term, Highmark has been addressing social needs that are barriers to good health for decades. In the last five years alone, Highmark has committed nearly half a billion dollars in related initiatives, including strategic community partnerships, workforce and economic development and access to care, the news release said. Most recently, Highmark announced $2 million in grants to organizations focused on helping people in need across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Delaware during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal agriculture officials unveil guide to resources

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, a news release said.

The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, USDA is committed to being a strong partner to rural communities preparing for and impacted by COVID-19,” Perdue said, according to the news release. “This resource guide will help our rural leaders, whether they are in agriculture, education, health care or any other leadership capacity, understand what federal assistance is available for their communities during this unprecedented time.”

USDA has taken many immediate actions to assist farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and rural-based businesses and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information on these actions, visit www.usda.gov/coronavirus.