LifeSTEPS Executive Director, Beth Southorn, Represents at 2023 National Service Coordinator Conference in Maryland

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Maryland, August 31, 2023 – LifeSTEPS announces the attendance of its Executive Director, Beth Southorn, at the 2023 National Service Coordinator Conference held in Maryland from August 27th to 30th.

This year’s theme “Advocacy in Action – United in Purpose,” is organized annually by the American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC), a professional membership association and national resource for service-enriched housing. With over 4,000 members, AASC plays a pivotal role in supporting elderly and disabled residents, as well as families, in affordable housing communities by helping them identify, locate, and acquire the services and support needed for self-sufficiency. Beth Southorn, who also serves as the chair of the board for AASC, played a key role in the conference’s leadership.

The event gathered more than 1,000 attendees, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among service coordinators. Participants had the opportunity to delve into the latest innovative programs and findings that contribute to the enhancement of service coordination.

LifeSTEPS was honored to be a sponsor of this year’s conference, reinforcing its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote advocacy, unity, and purpose in the service-enriched housing sector.

For more information about LifeSTEPS and its commitment to service-enriched housing, please visit www.lifestepsusa.org.

 

LifeSTEPS Executive Director, Beth Southorn, Presents at Leading Age BOLD Conference on Housing and Health

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Monterey, CA – May 1, 2023 – LifeSTEPS is proud to announce the participation of its Executive Director, Beth Southorn, as a guest speaker at the Leading Age BOLD Annual Conference & Expo held in Monterey, CA, from May 1 to 3, 2023.

Beth Southorn, alongside Bruce Kuban, Trainer, and former Director of Supportive Housing, delivered a compelling presentation on “Housing and Health: Keeping our Special Needs Older Adults Housed, Healthy, and Thriving.” The dynamic duo addressed critical topics, emphasizing how housing for older adults, especially those with low-income and homelessness challenges, can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

The presentation showcased innovative housing programs designed by LifeSTEPS to assist special needs older adults in enhancing their health and facilitating healthy aging. They also delved into the importance of utilizing housing as a bridge to connect the gaps between housing and positive health outcomes, fostering lifelong well-being.

LifeSTEPS, known for its commitment to delivering on-site social services, began providing intensive case management services to special needs residents in 2014, extending support to those facing chronic homelessness, physical health challenges, mental health disabilities, and substance use disorders in both senior and family housing.

Currently, LifeSTEPS serves 557 current and formerly homeless individuals and families now residing in permanent supportive housing across California. In 2022 alone, the organization provided Enhanced Care Management Services to 403 older adults, further solidifying its dedication to improving the lives of those in need.

Beth Southorn’s insightful presentation at the Leading Age BOLD Conference exemplifies LifeSTEPS’ ongoing commitment to addressing the complex intersection of housing and health for vulnerable populations. By introducing innovative programs and advocating for positive change, LifeSTEPS continues to be a leader in the field of social services for affordable housing.

For more information about LifeSTEPS and its impactful programs, please visit www.lifestepsusa.org.

Pictured Above: (Left) LifeSTEPS Executive Director, Beth Southorn (Right) LifeSTEPS Trainor, Bruce Kuban

LifeSTEPS Awarded Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Grant

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Funds will be used to expand and establish Medi-Cal Enhanced Care Management and Community Support services in Los Angeles County 

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has announced a grant award of $1,869,064 to Life Skills Training & Educational Programs (LifeSTEPS) as part of the statewide initiative of California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM).

In January 2023, DHCS announced an award of $119 million in total funding to help local organizations build capacity and infrastructure in Medi-Cal’s delivery system. These funds will support California’s long-term commitment to transform and strengthen Medi-Cal, offering Californians a more equitable, coordinated, and person-centered approach. DCHS awarded 98 organizations, LifeSTEPS being one of the recipients, through Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Capacity and Infrastructure, Transition, Expansion, and Development (CITED) Initiative Round 1A.

The PATH program is comprised of multiple aligned initiatives that will provide funding, tools, technical support, and resources to Medi-Cal providers, including community-based organizations (CBOs), counties, Tribes, local governmental entities, and other community partners to support a smooth transition to CalAIM.

LifeSTEPS is pleased to be one of the 98 recipients of the statewide award. This grant will enable the transition, expansion, and development of LifeSTEPS’ Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports capacity and infrastructure of existing programs and future expansions in Los Angeles County. LifeSTEPS is coordinating with organizations they contract with and intends to contract with other organizations such as L.A. Care to continue providing Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Support Services (CM) in Los Angeles County.

“This is an example of the leadership in California helping with the expansion of services to the most vulnerable and supporting small non-profits growth. Saving health dollars by supporting health education, housing, and intensive case management to the most vulnerable saves millions,” said Beth Southorn, LifeSTEPS Executive Director.

“We have seen first-hand how health intervention on the front lines changes lives by restoring health connections, reducing hospitalizations and restoring hope through relationship reunification,” said Beth. “Though chronic homeless might look a certain way while living on the streets… the life blood of housing stability, intensive case management and health restoration returns that same individual into productive individuals in service to others.”

LifeSTEPS has accepted the responsibility to carefully manage PATH Cited funds with the goal being quality services to benefit our clients and program sustainability in collaboration with our managed care plan partners.

For more information about LifeSTEPS programs and services provided in California, please visit https://lifestepsusa.org/programs-services/.

DHCS. “Department of Health Care Services announces $119 million in award notices to advance its vision of a whole system, person-centered approach to care.” DHCS Press Release, 31 Jan. 2023. https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/publications/oc/Documents/2023/23-03-CITED-Round-1-Award-1-31-23.pdf. PDF download.

LifeSTEPS provides service in Santa Rosa

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LifeSTEPS will soon begin providing services at Cannery Housing Project in Santa Rosa. Read more.