To expand and strengthen our collective efforts, Lutheran Services in America is seizing an opportunity to improve outcomes in our nation’s heartland with the formation of the Midwest Results Network. The Midwest Results Network is working toward the “Moonshot Goal” established by our organization to dramatically improve the trajectory of the lives of 20,000 vulnerable children in America by 2024.
On Dec. 6, Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Wyden announced a bipartisan agreement that would include a permanent funding reauthorization for the Money Follows the Person Medicaid Demonstration Program. Introduction of a bipartisan proposal to permanently fund MFP is a milestone achievement that is the result of persistent, ongoing federal advocacy by groups like our national network.
Lutheran Services in America launched Phase 2 of the Connect-Home Collaborative this month at a meeting in Washington, D.C. At the training meeting, Collaborative members learned that interventions like Connect-Home not only need to be effective, but they also must reach the intended populations, be adopted by providers, be implemented with fidelity, and be maintained over time. Members will use this model in their three quality improvement cycles as a means to measure progress over time.
Lutheran Services in America led a diverse group of Lutheran social ministry leaders in a yearlong active learning cohort to implement innovative approaches to improve equitable outcomes for 3,000 children and youth in or at risk of entry into the foster care system. You may be wondering what we mean when we say “equitable outcomes” and why that is such a critical focus. It means that children and youth with the same potential have the same level of successful outcomes as their peers, regardless of the color of their skin, gender, or ZIP code.
Representatives of the Lutheran Services in America – Disability Network flew to Washington last week armed with stories and shared best practices, outcomes, and challenges that allowed them to advocate for the people we serve, the people we employ, and for our industry. Advocacy an important part of our jobs, writes Lisa Morgan, but just as important are the relationships we build with each other while speaking up for those we serve.
