Governor Ayotte Applauds Launch of DHHS Pilot Program with Dartmouth Health

CONCORD, NH - Today, Governor Kelly Ayotte applauded the recently-launched Upper Valley Community Partner Pilot, a partnership between the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Care Connections program and Dartmouth Health to improve access to health care and other critical services for Granite Staters.

"New Hampshire is always looking for better ways to help Granite Staters access the care and services they need," said Governor Ayotte. "I'm excited to see DHHS partner with Dartmouth Health and Unite Us for a pilot program aimed at improving access to services and delivering better health outcomes for patients. Together, we can ensure an even healthier future for our state."

The Dartmouth Health Upper Valley Community Partner Pilot will work with DHHS and Unite Us, the state's technology partner for integrating health and community-based care, to create a regional network of health care and social services providers. In collaboration with Granite United Way, the pilot program aims to improve how individuals and families access essential health and social services within a coordinated, secure referral system.

"Partnerships like the Dartmouth Health Upper Valley Community Partner Pilot are critical programs for us at Dartmouth Health in our ongoing work to improve health outcomes in the communities we serve," said Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO and president of Dartmouth Health. "Gaps in communication between health and social service providers impact health and this can be improved by creating a system that links these entities together. I am proud that Dartmouth Health will play a role in the creation of such a system in the Upper Valley."

New Hampshire Care Connections gives participating healthcare and community organizations a secure platform to send and receive electronic referrals, more effectively measure outcomes, and better understand non-medical community needs, including housing stability, food access, transportation, and other critical supports.

"We are proud to partner with Dartmouth Health and Unite Us on this innovative project to connect healthcare providers, community organizations and other stakeholders on the issues that matter most to the people of the Upper Valley," said DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver. "The launch of the Upper Valley Community Partner Pilot marks a major milestone in our work to establish New Hampshire Care Connections. We are excited to learn from this first phase as we build regional networks throughout New Hampshire to create a statewide coordinated referral system that will help everyone in New Hampshire has access to the services they need to thrive."

Learn more about the New Hampshire Care Connections project or join the network here.