FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
More than 200 expected for inaugural event Sept. 12-13
Sacramento, Calif. – Recuperative care, also known as medical respite care, is becoming nationally recognized as a bridge between homelessness and interim housing. With the introduction of CalAIM in 2022, Recuperative Care programs are developing across California at an astounding rate.
The National Institute for Medical Respite Care (NIMRC), a special program of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) is hosting a first-of-its-kind convening of recuperative care providers, hospital systems, managed care plans, county and state officials, and other partners in health, housing and homeless services. Representatives from more than 40 recuperative care programs in California will attend the inaugural California Recuperative Care Symposium, which is presented by Kaiser Permanente, an early and ardent supporter of recuperative care in California.
“Kaiser Permanente is a firm believer in the power of recuperative care to enable health and health equity for unhoused individuals, and we’re thrilled to be able to help bring together so many people involved in California’s vital medical respite care system,” said Stephanie Ledesma, vice president for Community Health at Kaiser Permanente.
Susan Philip, MPP, the Deputy Director of Health Care Delivery Systems at the California Department of Health Care Services will provide the opening keynote for the symposium on Sept. 12. Susan’s areas of responsibility include the oversight, monitoring, and contract administration of California’s Medi-Cal managed care program, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, the California Children Services program, and Home and Community-Based Services Waivers programs.
The closing keynote will be given on Sept. 13 by Michelle Schneidermann, MD, director of the California Health Care Foundation’s (CHCF) People-Centered Care team.
Michelle leads CHCF’s efforts in the care of populations with complex needs, including people experiencing homelessness, older adults, and people with serious behavioral health conditions.
The theme for the event is Cross-Organizational Solutions for a Seamless System of Care. Attendees will learn about promising practices, program models, and examples of leadership in recuperative care from more than 60 speakers from across California.
Other speakers include Vanessa Davis, MPH, Director of Medi-Cal External Engagement and Initiatives at Kaiser Permanente, who will provide opening remarks along with Bobby Watts, MPH, CPH, MS, Chief Executive Officer of NHCHC. Barbara DiPietro, PhD, Senior Director of Policy for NHCHC will open day two of the symposium with a discussion about key policy issues impacting recuperative care in California.
“From the beginning of the Respite Care Providers’ Network to the development of standards for medical respite care, to the creation of the National Institute for Medical Respite Care, NHCHC has committed to advancing medical respite care because we know it is needed to create an equitable, high-quality health care system that meets the needs of people experiencing homelessness,” says Bobby Watts. “We’re thrilled to partner with Kaiser Permanente and others to bring this meaningful event to California.”
Symposium registration remains open until Sept. 6. Learn more here.
###