Arlington Awarded $300,000 Grant to Improve Health and Huma

Published on November 22, 2019

Arlington's Department of Human Services (DHS) received a $300,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation to improve the agency's data systems. The three-year funding will allow DHS to:

Assess the current state of operability across its 11 data systems

Develop and implement an enterprise-scale record linkage methodology

Develop a plan to improve integrated services through interoperability

The plan for interoperability will ensure secure data communication across systems and applications, and address the strategic goals of improving population health, predictive analytics, and individual service improvements. The funds will facilitate the development of enhanced case management and referral tools, and unified document repositories. 

"We are excited to have been selected by the Kresge Foundation for this opportunity to advance existing integration efforts," said DHS Director Anita Friedman. "By strengthening connections across our data systems, we can improve the health and well-being and social and economic mobility of Arlington children and families."

The Kresge Foundation awarded a total of $1.5 million in grants to five organizations to enhance their efforts to integrate their health and human services systems and create more seamless, person-centered experiences for individuals and families seeking support in cities across the country.

"Integrating health and human services systems requires changes to policies, practices, funding, data systems, values and culture," Katie Byerly, Kresge Health program officer said. "This includes implementing, aligning and improving data sharing systems; reallocating and blending health and human services funding streams; ensuring person-centered approaches; establishing shared values and goals; and creating strong and effective feedback loops for continuous quality improvement among partners."

As part of the grant, DHS will also receive support from Kresge's Center for Health and Research Transformation, which serves as Kresge's technical assistance provider for the initiative.

About The Kresge Foundation

The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening pathways to opportunity for low-income people in America's cities, seeking to dismantle structural and systemic barriers to equality and justice. Using a full array of grant, loan, and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change. For more information visit  kresge.org.

Media Contact

Kurt Larrick
Klarrick@arlingtonva.us