The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) of New York, NY has awarded $2.8 million in grants to four organizations across the U.S. The Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition of Hartford, CT is one of the chosen four recipients of the grant funding. The Coalition will be at the forefront of the Connecticut Integrated Healthcare and Housing Neighborhoods initiative. As part of the initiative, Patient Navigators will be hired at various health care and housing agencies across Connecticut. StayWell Health Center will be participating and hiring a Patient Navigator to help those with high utilization of the health care system to stabilize housing status.

This role of Patient Navigator will be to assist patients in both understanding and accessing health care and also with finding and maintaining stable housing. The Patient Navigator will be a valuable resource for Waterbury community members dealing with complex health needs and housing issues. StayWell nurse, Jackie Ruegg, is optimistic about the impact of the Patient Navigator, saying, “I’m looking forward to having a patient navigator added to our Open Arms Healthcare for the Homeless team at StayWell. The intensive support for our most fragile patients who are struggling to navigate the health care system on their own will certainly improve outcomes for them and reduce a strain on our local healthcare system.”

StayWell Health Care, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, community health care and social services, including preventive medical, dental, and mental health services to the underserved population of the Greater Waterbury community. StayWell Health Care, Inc. has adopted a comprehensive, community based approach to serving people by providing education, advocacy, and bilingual/bicultural services. All patients are accepted regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.