WellSky® Empowers 2-1-1 Clients Leading Response to COVID-19
Amid global outbreak of a novel coronavirus, international software company helps information and referral organizations connect people to services in their communities
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — March 5, 2020 — As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe and the United States, WellSky is taking the epidemic very seriously and prioritizing our clients’ ability to continue providing vital services to people in need. The situation continues to evolve rapidly, and information and referral/2-1-1 agencies are go-to resources for updates on COVID-19 — including guidance and best practices for prevention, identification, travel, and treatment.
In communities across the United States, information and referral and 2-1-1 agencies maintain up-to-date, reliable directories of services available in each community. These vital organizations also provide helpful news, information, and suggestions. When significant events occur that impact communities, people rely on 2-1-1 agencies for the latest information, emergency plans, and disaster relief — in addition to day-to-day service referrals for physical and mental health, social services, and other community resources.
The novel coronavirus has the potential to disrupt communities in multiple ways. People may struggle with accessing:
- Healthcare resources
- Childcare
- Elder services
- Food and nutrition
- Financial resources
- Mental health resources
WellSky is proactively taking steps to ensure its clients are ready serve their communities in the face of the coronavirus epidemic. To better track calls and needs related to COVID-19, 211 Los Angeles, the creators/maintainers of the taxonomy system endorsed by the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) recently launched two new codes. WellSky will be adding these two service terms to the WellSky Community Services (formerly ServicePoint) solution for clients to use this week, including WellSky’s HMIS clients. These terms will also be searchable within the WellSky Resource Directory solution.
To help clients respond to adverse events and continue to support their communities, WellSky offers the following services:
- When a WellSky client’s facility is unavailable due to a natural or man-made disaster or health crisis event, the client may transfer their phones to another facility. When this happens, WellSky offers up to 20 WellSky Community Services software user licenses at no cost for up to 30 days. That way, another facility can securely access the client’s WellSky Community Services system to perform data entry and referral operations on behalf of the WellSky client.
- In response to a natural or man-made disaster or health crisis event, WellSky clients may want to send their resource provider database to a third-party system. WellSky will enable access to the AIRS XML 3.1 Export Payload utility with no restrictions on the number of exports executed for up to two months at no charge. Please contact your account manager to request temporary enablement of this service.
- If needed, WellSky will perform priority updates to our clients’ Resource Directory sites. Examples include adding or changing an event-specific banner, adding an event-specific category and icon, or other wording. WellSky clients can submit a case to request services.
- Additional support is also available. WellSky clients are encouraged to contact their account manager to discuss their needs and requests.
These measures will ensure that 2-1-1 agencies remain fully functional and capable of serving their communities during this critical time.
For more detailed information to keep people and communities safe, WellSky recommends reviewing guidance and updates from the CDC here, as well as information from WHO here.
About WellSky®
WellSky is a technology company advancing human wellness worldwide. Our software and professional services address the continuum of health and social care — helping businesses, organizations, and communities solve tough challenges, improve collaboration for growth, and achieve better outcomes through predictive insights that only WellSky solutions can provide. WellSky is leading the movement for smarter, whole-person care with a visionary approach that addresses individuals’ unique health and social circumstances. A portfolio company of TPG Capital, WellSky serves more than 14,000 client sites around the world — including the largest hospital systems, blood banks and labs, home health and hospice franchises, government agencies, and human services organizations. Informed by 40 years of providing software and expertise, WellSky anticipates providers’ needs and innovates relentlessly to help people thrive. Our purpose is to empower care heroes with technology for good, so that together, we can realize care’s potential and maintain a healthy, flourishing world. For more information, visit WellSky.com.
# # #