City, County Partner with Unite Us to Connect Residents to Social Services

Bernalillo County, N.M. -  In an effort to improve access to essential services, the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are collaborating on a new initiative to better connect residents with social services. The partnership with Unite Us, a trusted technology partner for social care transformation, will streamline the referral process for resources such as food, housing, and behavioral health services with less paperwork and fewer people falling through the cracks.

“Health is measured in more than just medical care. Food security, housing security, transportation, and child care are all critical to the health of our communities, so we’re making sure people can get connected to the right help for them,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “With this investment, we’re ensuring that Albuquerque families have better tools to access the resources they need.”

The City and County began working with Unite Us in April 2024 and aim to launch the new system later this summer, offering a secure and efficient way to connect residents to the services they need. Unite Us, already used by Dona Ana County, Santa Fe County, and Presbyterian Health Services, brings proven expertise in facilitating cross-sector collaboration.

“The Unite Us technology platform holds the promise of offering us a tool to comprehensively improve service access and coordination. However, we must work collaboratively with service providers to ensure that the electronic inter-connectivity between information systems does work and that the incentives to optimize the use of this tool are sufficiently robust,” says Deputy County Manager of Bernalillo County’s Behavioral Health Division Wayne Lindstrom, Ph.D.

How the System Works:

• Identification of Needs: Healthcare providers and community organizations can screen residents for social needs such as food insecurity or housing instability.

• Secure Referrals: If needs are identified, electronic referrals are securely sent to appropriate organizations through Unite Us' certified, HIPPA-compliant platform.

• Closing the Loop: Service providers update the platform with the referral outcome, ensuring referring organizations are aware of the support provided.

This closed-loop referral system aims to improve the quality of life for residents by addressing social determinants of health and ensuring coordinated, effective care.

“The more our provider network is connected digitally, the more we’ll be able to see community members get the help they need in a variety of areas without having to repeat their story,” said HHH Director Gilbert Ramirez. “We’ll also gain valuable insight into where service gaps still exist.”

“The Unite Us Platform is designed to break down barriers between healthcare providers and social care service organizations, ensuring that individuals receive the comprehensive support they need efficiently and effectively,” said Senior Director of Customer Success at Unite Us Erin Willis. “Our collaboration with the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County will enhance the delivery of critical services and improve overall community health and well-being.”

The City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are committed to making sure all residents have access to the support they need. Stay tuned for the official launch and more information on how this program will benefit our community.

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About Health, Housing & Homelessness: The Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness strives to improve the quality of life for everyone in Albuquerque by supporting behavioral health, public health initiatives, affordable housing, and homeless services. 

About Bernalillo County: Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

About Unite Us: Unite Us is the nation’s premier technology provider for advancing social care outcomes. Our robust product suite streamlines processes and fosters collaboration across government, healthcare, health plans, and community organizations to address social drivers of health by facilitating social care services, intervention programs, and Medicaid reimbursements. The first of its kind, our closed-loop referral platform now integrates more than 1M services and securely hosts the nation’s largest network of non-profits committed to improving whole-person health one community at a time. Learn more at UniteUs.com and LinkedIn.

Estevan Vásquez

Communications Coordinator

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Communications Services

415 Silver Ave. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

CELL: 505.250.7848

EMAIL: fevasquez@bernco.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maia Rodriguez

505-235-8073

7/01/2024

Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes After Historic Rainfall

Residents can expect a significant mosquito season

BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. – The City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department and the Bernalillo County Health Protection Section are anticipating a significant increase in mosquito activity that will likely persist through the summer after recent heavy rainfall. Mosquitoes breed in standing water and can go from egg to adult in as little as 7 days. The joint City-County mosquito control program has recommendations for residents to help reduce breeding and prevent bites in anticipation of very high mosquito populations.

“Everyone plays a role in preventing mosquito breeding which is our best way to control the population,” said City of Albuquerque Urban Biology Manager, Nick Pederson. “Even a small soda can will provide enough water to breed hundreds of pesky mosquitoes.”

“City and County staff are working hard to keep mosquito populations in check to allow our constituents to enjoy their outdoor spaces. We encourage people to take precautions and to contact us if they need more information about the mosquito control program”, said Bernalillo County Planning and Development Services Director, Nick Hamm.

To prevent mosquito breeding, residents should:

• Eliminate water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as: old tires, discarded cans and trash, and pet dishes;

• After it rains, check for objects around your home that have collected water and dump out the water including children’s toys, flower pots, and wheel barrows;

• Regularly change the water in birdbaths;

• Maintain ponds and backyard swimming pools;

• Make sure rain barrels are fitted with a screen;

• When flood-irrigating, prevent water from standing for more than a few days.

Residents should keep in mind that mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as West Nile virus. In addition, mosquitoes can be a significant nuisance that can disrupt daily life and outdoor activities.

“With our families planning to spend time outdoors for the Fourth, it’s crucial to remember how to protect ourselves from mosquitoes,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Plan ahead to avoid mosquito bites for a pest-free celebration.”

Residents should protect themselves from mosquito bites by:

• Avoiding outdoor activities during times of day like dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active,

• Wearing long, loose, light-colored clothing, and

• Using insect repellent with proven ingredients to avoid mosquito bites like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

Residents are encouraged to call 311 to report standing water. Learn more about mosquito prevention at cabq.gov/mosquitoes.

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The mission of the Environmental Health Department is to responsively and professionally serve the people of Albuquerque by promoting and protecting public health, by preventing disease, and by preserving the integrity and quality of our environment through sustainable management and responsible stewardship.

About Bernalillo County

Bernalillo County is 1,160 square miles and is New Mexico’s most populous county with more than 676,000 residents. Bernalillo County government provides a wide range of public services to residents who live in Albuquerque, Los Ranchos and Tijeras with approximately 106,000 residents living in unincorporated areas of the county. Bernalillo County employs approximately 2,500 people and has an annual operating budget, capital investments and other funds of more than $1 billion. Elected officials include five county commissioners, assessor, clerk, probate judge, sheriff and treasurer.

(This important heath message has been forwarded to you in the public interest by BernCo Neighborhood Coordination.) 

ABQ RIDE Connect

Albuquerque's newest on-demand, microtransit service!

ABQ RIDE Connect is designed to complement existing fixed route service by connecting riders to key transfer route locations including transit centers and bus stops within two pre-determined zones in Albuquerque. ABQ RIDE Connect can also be used for transportation to other locations within the zones like grocery stores and local businesses.

www.cabq.gov/transit/services/abq-ride-connect