New online tool helps community members locate important resources
North Idaho Connections is a robust online search and referral tool connecting individuals with important community resources
that can help to meet their health care and social service needs. The tool allows health care organizations, community partners, patients, and family members to access up-to-date information about more than 1,000 community resources throughout northern Idaho.
Resources accessible through North Idaho Connections include food, shelter, health care, work and financial assistance.
“There’s a lot of evidence demonstrating improved health outcomes when people’s social needs of health are addressed,” Jill Weeks, director of Kootenai Health’s Transitional Care Services, said. “For example, several studies show that older adults with food insecurities—such as the ability to afford or access food—have poorer health and a greater need for care for chronic conditions. Transportation problems contribute to unmet health care needs in patients with chronic illnesses, leading to disease exacerbations and associated costs. At Kootenai Health, we want to help connect our patients with community resources that can support them at home so they have improved health outcomes.”
Supporting self-care The goal behind launching North Idaho Connections is to connect patients and family members with
resources in the community that can help them be successful with their self-care at home and improve their quality of life. The CEO and creator of the platform that North Idaho Connections is built on created it after personally experiencing the difficulties of navigating care resources for his ill mother. His mission was to connect people in need to the programs that serve them with dignity and ease.
Kootenai Health received a grant from Pacific Source to develop this resource and referral database. In addition to Kootenai, other
community partners, such as the Northwest Hospital Alliance, also have access to resource listings so they can also connect patients to resources available across the region.
“Any patient, caregiver or family member who needs additional support managing their health or well-being will benefit from this,”
Jill said.
Get connected.
Access resources to help you live well at northidahoconnections.org.
