Addressing Unmet Gaps through Community Collaboration

Now in its 10th year, the Access to Health program was created in response to a Community Health Needs Assessment in Sangamon County, which identified unmanaged chronic conditions and limited access to care as key issues. Developed in collaboration with Springfield Memorial Hospital and SIU School of Medicine, the program uses community-based health workers to address these needs.

The health workers live in the community, engage with residents and connect them to essential services. They focus on improving food security, housing stability, financial well-being and access to preventive and disease management health care, helping people become more self-sufficient. 

Some success stories include: 

• In one neighborhood, the lack of summer activities for kids led to the creation of youth camps to engage children. 
• In another, where 85% of residents are renters with high turnover, the collaborative worked with the neighborhood association to start a community garden and meeting space, providing a safe place for kids to play and community members to gather. 

The program is jointly funded by HSHS St. John’s Hospital and Springfield Memorial Hospital, each contributing $500,000 over three years. Since its launch, HSHS has contributed $750,000, providing $88,000 annually to support the program’s continued success.

"Tanya helps me with food and bus tokens to get to my appointments and to any important things to be done monthly. She is a great help to me. I really appreciate her.” – Client