Return on Community Investment (ROCI):
A High Impact Institute

Pre-Conference Data Collection
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Return on Community Investment Survey Responses

Respondent Name:

Amber Slichta

E-Mail Address:

aslichta@healthforall.org

Organization Name:

HealthforAll

Phone:

(716) 837-8400   Ext. 104

Fax:

(716) 837-8300

Address:

2495 Main St   Suite 310

City, State, Zip:

Buffalo, NY    14214
Category: Your Community

What is the service area of your initiative (counties, city, etc.)?

8 counties

What is the total population in your service area?

1.3 million

What percentage of the total population lives below the federal poverty level?

No response.

What percentage of the total population is uninsured?

11%
Category: Your Program Initiative

Indicate which of the following categories your initiative falls in:

Outreach and navigation
Securing public and private insurance coverage

Describe the purpose of your initiative (in one sentence, if possible):

To expand access to quality healthcare for the uninsured through community partnerships.

Describe the scale of your initiative in terms of budget, capacity, etc.:

2004 operational $825,000. Capacity for HealthforAll's Subsidy Program is limited by the amount of subsidy dollars available and is currently at capacity with 575 covered lives. The estimated number of eligible people is 24,000.

Describe the operational components of your initiative:

HealthforAll was established in 1999 to address growing concern for the uninsured in Western NY. Recognizing the problem impacts everyone, both financially and socially, HealthforAll is connecting corporations, small businesses, providers, insurers, community agencies and individuals to deal directly with the issue. HealthforAll has created a strong foundation for providing realistic options for the uninsured. Building on these solutions and continuing to implement new ones, our vision is viable answers for each of the 200,000 uninsured in the region that are realistic for the community overall. HealthforAll has developed initiatives in three areas to pursue its mission: 1. HealthforAll Healthy NY Insurance Subsidy Demonstration Program- pays up to one-third of Healthy NY insurance premiums for eligible employees of small businesses. 2. HealthforAll Information & Referral- WNYhelpnet.ORG (helpnet) makes accessible a directory of 6,000+ existing WNY services and programs available to the underserved of every county in one comprehensive online database. Expert call center staff assists uninsured individuals and small businesses navigate available options to find health coverage solutions tailored to their specific needs. 3. Voice of the Uninsured- HealthforAll compiles data and other significant information about the uninsured as the foundation for informing community leaders, catalyzing change and advocating solutions for the uninsured in an impartial manner.

Describe your initiative's staffing level:

5 permanent staff members and two temporary staff.

If applicable, please describe your strategic use of an information system:

No response.

Please list the major, time-framed, measurable objectives your initiative is designed to achieve:

Goal 1: Information & Referral To reduce access barriers to existing services for the uninsured with a focus on rural, urban, minority underserved populations. Objective 1 Implement portable version of helpnet database for use by at least 30 outreach workers and 135 community based organizations that do not have internet access during client encounters by June 2004. Objective 2 Increase number of high need, registered consumer helpnet users 57% per month from 188 to 1500 by August 2004. Objective 3 Generate 1750 e-referrals to Facilitated Enrollers and increase the number of registered agency-affiliated helpnet users 8.5% per month from 294 to 750 by August 2004. Goal 2: The Working Uninsured Assessment and Assistance Program To fill the gap left by government programs with community supported insurance coverage for the working uninsured. Objective 1 Complete a region-wide Uninsured Health Risk Assessment by June 2004 to evaluate trends, assess region-wide and local goals related to health disparities and the working uninsured. Objective 2 By August 2004 a) the number of covered lives in the Subsidy Program will expand to 1,000 b) 500 children with working parents will be referred to New York State’s Child Health Plus c) WNY health plans will enroll 250 working uninsured adults into unsubsidized health coverage to establish the ability of the Subsidy Demonstration to influence policies/programs for the working uninsured and families in NY State.
Category: Measurable Results

Which of the following results can be attributed to your program initiative? Please check all that apply.

Savings from operational improvements within integrated system
Qualifying people for government subsidized programs
Increasing awareness of programs and services
Economic development factor
Increased attendance at work

Please list any other actual, measurable results of your initiative:

No response.
Category: Your ROCI Strategy

How do you define ROCI?

Tangible or other intangible benefits an organization, partner or other entity receives resulting from a contribution to another organization, partner or other entity.

Describe your ROCI objectives and strategy:

Since HealthforAll's inception in 1999, Return on Investment (ROI), ROCI, creating ''win wins'', or any term that is preferred, has been a part of our organization's culture and general business practices.

Describe the players involved in the ROCI conversation (by title and/or function):

HealthforAll was created to address a specific problem in the Western New York community - the uninsured. From the beginning all members of the community with a vested interest in addressing the uninsured have been involved in crafting solutions. Key ''players'' such as the New York State Department of Insurance, three HMO's, local hospitals and hospital systems, local and State Legislators, large for profit corporations and small businesses have been involved with and contributed (with tangible and intangible contributions) from day one. Involvement is at the CEO level with organizations and with the senior/most influential legislators.

List the milestones in your ROCI strategy that pertain to deal making (a prospective approach):

HealthforAll has received Financial contributions from the most senior State Senator in our community, two hospital systems and our only public hospital have agreed to long-term financial contributions, numerous Board members that are at the Senior/Executive level within their organizations have assisted in ''deal making'' as needed.

List the milestones in your ROCI strategy that are tied to outcomes (a retrospective approach):

See overall goals and objectives of HealthforAll in ''Your Program Initiative''

List the milestones in your ROCI strategy that are linked to sustainability:

No response.
Category: Your ROCI Methodology

Describe the analytic or economic logic underlying your ROCI method:

Fundamental accounting methods such as break even analysis, ROI, budgets, forecasting, etc. An actuarial analysis was used in part to engage local hospitals in contributing long-term. Feasibility study in 2001 to assess the financial potential for engaging in corporate cause marketing and sponsorship as a long-term revenue stream.

Is your method supported by scientific research? If yes, please describe:

See above, self-explanatory.

Describe the measures that you used to define "returns" or value:

Common accounting and marketing standards as described in first question.

Describe the measures that you used to define investments or costs:

No response.

Please briefly describe your data collection methods.

No response.
Category: ROCI Communication and Negotiation

Describe the conversations that define your ROCI process:

No response.

Describe how ROCI conversations are tailored to specific audiences:

No response.

Describe what enabled effective conversations to occur:

Learning what each potential ''investor'' was interested and providing it. In addition, educating as necessary regarding benefits they may not have been aware of. OFr example corporations are not always aware how substantial the impact of uninsured people is on the economy.
Category: Results from the ROCI Process

Describe the outcomes, the successes of your ROCI strategy:

Previously described - hospitals, legislators are contributing, working towards more involved relationships with corporations and HMO's.
Category: Lessons

What do you see as the critical success factors that can guide others?

Persistence, do your homework to find out what potential ''investors'' are interested and educate potential investors. As one of HealforAll's Board members that negotiates contracts with the Teamsters Union once said ''Remember, every good negotiation always starts with a no.''

Do you believe that your results can be replicated successfully with other similar initiatives? Can you suggest how replication may be facilitated?

Yes, follow traditional marketing a accounting fundamentals tailored to your unique community.
Category: Finalize Survey Responses

Please list any websites that provide valuable ROCI information:

http://www.redf.org/about_sroi.htm
http://www.communitywealth.org