St. Catherine’s, CDPHP join forces

St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany and CDPHP announced a partnership to offer housing support and critical services to some of its most vulnerable members.

“It’s no secret that health care and housing are inextricably linked,” said president and CEO of CDPHP, Dr. John D. Bennett at a press conference Dec. 21. “This partnership with St. Catherine’s Center for Children is just the beginning of our commitment to ensuring our members no longer have to visit the emergency department for shelter or a hot meal. We can do better than that.”   

“We’re proud to partner with CDPHP on this important housing and health care initiative,” said Frank Pindiak, executive director of St. Catherine’s Center for Children. “St. Catherine’s has been working with vulnerable populations throughout our history, and we’ve long understood the link between stable affordable housing and good health. Programs such as this can have a significant and lasting impact on so many lives, and we are happy to be a part of it.”   

The program will serve adults with multiple chronic conditions, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Albany, Columbia, and Greene counties. Members will be referred to the program by the CDPHP Care Team, area doctors, and social workers. Participants will receive intensive support from St. Catherine’s to obtain safe, affordable housing, with the addition of rental subsidies when needed.

Working within a “housing first” model, the team at St. Catherine’s will coordinate the support services needed to keep participants stably housed and out of the emergency room or hospital.

Success will be measured through housing placement and retention milestones, as well as pre- and post- social determinants of health screenings. CDPHP will closely monitor other metrics, including primary care visits, gaps in care, ER utilization, inpatient admissions and readmissions, medication adherence, and more.