Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

ST. MARY’S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER - Reno, Nevada 
Kids to Senior Korner Program

What is it?  
The Kids to Seniors Korner Program is a private/public collaborative involving seven local partners. Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center is the program administrator, medical provider and fiscal agent; other partners are the Reno and Sparks Police Departments, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County District Health Department, Social Services, and Senior Services. This alliance uses a “Knock and Talk” engagement tactic to identify needs and      provide a bundle of services to low-income and underserved children, families and seniors. The Knock and Talk approach brings a law enforcement officer and a nurse into targeted low-income neighborhoods where they knock on doors and talk to children, their families and seniors to assess their social, security and health needs. Utilizing a 40-foot mobile clinic, the two-step service delivery system begins. Registered nurses, social workers, social service workers, law enforcement officers, and interpreters coordinate and manage individual’s situations  – providing health, security, and nutrition education; making referrals to appropriate community providers; and assisting people in enrolling for benefits and services. The second step is to make home (follow up) visits in the coming days to insure that individuals follow-through on referrals and utilize available medical and social services.     

Who is it for?  
This program addresses the needs of underserved children, families and seniors in Washoe County that reside in shelters, hotels/motels and subsidized housing.

Why do they do it? 
The goal of this program is to connect disenfranchised residents of Washoe County’s low-income neighborhoods with community-based medical homes and social services.

Impact: 
Since 2001, important medical and social services have been provided to more than 58,000 children, families and seniors in the target areas. 

Contact:  Michael Johnson
Director, Community Health
Telephone:  775-770-3951
E-mail:   mike.johnson@chw.edu