OSF Receives State Grant for Pandemic Health Navigator Program

OSF HealthCare has been awarded a grant by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to support the Pandemic Health Navigator program in Region 1, which includes Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties.

The announcement was made today by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office, leaders from the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA), and other health experts during a news conference at VNA Health Care in Aurora to announce a new, collaborative program designed to help residents move forward from the health, social and economic hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“OSF HealthCare is honored to be the recipient of the Pandemic Health Navigator grant,” said Jennifer Junis, senior vice president, OSF OnCall. “As we continue to experience COVID-19 in our communities, we want to do everything we can to contain the spread of the virus and protect the well-being of our communities. This grant will greatly assist our Pandemic Health Navigator program in caring for the people in our communities impacted by COVID-19.”

Features of the Pandemic Health Navigator program include:

• Provides health and disease prevention education
• Connects residents to local services and resources
• Provides access to resources to address social determinants of health

In addition, the program works to connect residents with local community organizations, services and resources that may be needed to help maintain health and wellness.

There have been several recent examples of the navigators helping residents in the Rockford area. In one case, the navigator worked diligently to find medical care for a resident who was in need of emotional health assistance. In another, a navigator made arrangements to pick up food at a local food pantry for a patient who was unable to leave their home due to isolation protocols.