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Community Health 2020 Impact Report Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.

Our mission

Kaiser Permanente exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve.

Our vision

We are trusted partners in total health, collaborating with people to help them thrive, creating communities that are among the healthiest in the nation, and inspiring greater health for America and the world.

Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President, Mid-Atlantic States

Introduction

Kaiser Permanente’s mission to improve the health of our members and communities is more important than ever. Social needs, such as access to food, housing, and employment, have grown exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately impacting Black, Latinx, and other communities of color. The challenges exacerbated by the pandemic have accelerated our efforts to promote health, equity, and social justice in the communities we serve.

In 2020, Kaiser Permanente invested $155 million in the Mid-Atlantic region to promote good health and well-being, including $4 million in grants and donations to community organizations and nonprofits to reduce or prevent homelessness, increase access to food, and strengthen small businesses. We served 10,982 members in our Charitable Health Care and Coverage Programs and 130,088 Medicaid members. In late 2020, we also awarded $630,000 in grants to six regional community-based organizations across the Mid-Atlantic to address systemic racism and foster social justice. This is part of a $25 million national investment in grants to nearly 50 organizations by Kaiser Permanente to help dismantle racist structures, systems, and practices in the communities we serve.

In the past year, we saw our community partners pivot their work to address the most pressing community challenges. Recognizing the pandemic’s impact upon community organizations that we fund, we helped them repurpose our grants to support their operations and we provided technical assistance as needed. We also identified new partners, allowing us to allocate our resources in more strategic and innovative ways.

Although the pandemic is not over, we find promise in the advances of science, including the development of new vaccines and the speedy development of highly reliable diagnostics.

We all have a part to play in keeping ourselves, our families, and our communities healthy. For those who are eligible, getting vaccinated is the way to help end this pandemic. We also can protect ourselves by wearing our masks and practicing healthy habits, such as getting plenty of rest, eating healthy foods, staying active, and managing our stress.

In addition, we know that many in our communities are experiencing heightened anxiety, depression, and burnout from this pandemic. Making time for self-care, proactively helping those who may be struggling to seek help, and creating a culture of acceptance and support for mental health and well-being is integral to our shared success in achieving community wellness.

These steps are vital—yet we know they are not easily accessible to everyone. Kaiser Permanente is deeply committed to ensuring we all have a fair chance to be healthy and lead productive and joy-filled lives. We are proud to share some highlights of our collective efforts in this 2020 Community Health Impact Report.

Yours in good health and equity,

Ruth Williams-Brinkley

How we advance community health

At the intersection of health care and public health, our community-based health strategies complement Kaiser Permanente’s mission of delivering exceptional care by fostering better health for people experiencing inequities and injustice. We do this by connecting people to quality and affordable health care, building pathways to greater economic opportunity, preserving and creating affordable housing, and increasing access to fresh and nutritious foods. In countless other ways, we support thriving communities.

COVID-19

Kaiser Permanente’s decades of experience confronting highly infectious diseases prepared us to adapt quickly to meet the medical needs of our members during the current pandemic. And because the pandemic upended our lives in many unexpected ways and magnified deep health disparities across the Mid-Atlantic region, we also swiftly adapted our processes and protocols to meet community needs in ways that go well beyond physical health. We devised innovative solutions to enhance the quality of health care. Already offering virtual care, we scaled up our telehealth capabilities quickly and supported our community partners in building their own virtual infrastructures. Across the Kaiser Permanente enterprise, we invested $28 million to bolster resilience in communities and organizations most impacted by the pandemic.

When the scale of the challenge first became apparent, we acted immediately to ease the financial burden on our members and the broader community. Kaiser Permanente was one of the first insurers to waive cost sharing for testing, diagnosis, and treatment of the virus. We also leveraged existing community relationships to support food distribution to serve thousands of individuals and families. Donations to organizations included food storage, pop-up pantries, and prepared meals. We also supported community clinic telehealth primary care visits, online wellness classes, and mental health services. As community clinic partners sought to meet increased demand, we provided technical assistance and guidance for COVID-19 preparedness.

We remain committed to supporting public health efforts to suppress the virus in our communities, through education, training, and outreach, particularly among those disproportionately affected.

Kaiser Permanente's Approach to COVID-19

Our impact

In 2020, Kaiser Permanente supported 23,841 individuals and families through the distribution of urgent monetary sponsorships as part of our COVID-19 response effort:

  • We helped alleviate food, housing, and financial insecurity in the communities we serve by providing 12,336 individuals and families with meals, homeless services, employment, financial support, community engagement, workshops, and housing for displaced residents.
  • 8,738 individuals received access to health and social services, including assistance with remote learning and virtual health care, COVID-19 screenings, and mental and behavioral health services.
  • 2,767 community members received personal protective equipment (PPE) and counseling on how to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19.
“We received a Kaiser Permanente Community Health Grant to support immigrant youth …in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has upended normalcy across every aspect of daily life and has had a disproportionately high impact on immigrant communities and communities of color. COVID-19 has affected this population financially, emotionally, and for the school-aged youth we serve, academically, too. For many of our youth, the pandemic has resulted in additional household responsibilities such as caring for younger siblings and undertaking household chores to keep the family going, as well as increased work hours to make ends meet … resulting in dropping grades. This grant has filled a gap in student engagement and student support amid the pandemic. Our programming provides youth with a reprieve from the monotony of distance learning by injecting interactive, engaging activities into their scheduled class time.” – Liberty’s Promise

Inner City Capital Connections

The Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) program is a tuition-free executive leadership training program designed by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). ICCC helps business owners in under-resourced communities build capacity for sustainable growth in revenue, profitability, and employment. Kaiser Permanente partners with ICIC to fund the program nationally. In 2020, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States sponsored two cohorts representing women and minority-owned businesses—one in Baltimore and one in Washington, DC. Since 2017, 500 businesses leaders have completed the ICCC program in Baltimore and Washington, DC. On average, the businesses they represent experienced a 54% increase in revenue. Collectively, these small minority-owned businesses raised almost $59 million in capital.

“We expanded online offerings as we focused on pivoting and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. We partnered with Pacific Community Ventures to allow for virtual coaching. Working virtually has allowed us to pair more people than we would have otherwise as we now can draw from a national pool of coaches. Kaiser Permanente created an opportunity for 179 businesses to participate in this program, strengthening skills and networks, at no cost to the businesses themselves.” – Laura Flamm, Community Health Senior Program Manager, Kaiser Permanente

Success story

Francis ‘Toni’ Draper, is Chairman of the Board and Publisher of the AFRO-American Co. of Baltimore City, Inc., which was founded by her great-grandfather in 1892. This is one of the longest running family-owned African American media companies in the nation. The company is minority owned and is certified as a minority business enterprise. As a 2020 participant in the ICCC program, Dr. Draper received coaching from Bank of America that focused on preparing AFRO-American to be as competitive as possible to secure a bank loan. Crediting her participation in ICCC, Dr. Draper was able to make strategic decisions that helped her increase revenue and staff. She attributes much of that success to the coaching and training that helped her think strategically about how she wanted to portray and develop her business. Dr. Draper is now an alumnus of the ICCC program and an active network participant. The network provides even more opportunities for business-to-business relationships and reinforces the sharing of best practices across the business community.

Connecting people to health care

In 2020, we provided health services to 382,975 individuals and families through Medicaid, charitable health coverage, medical financial assistance, and transportation services to get patients to appointments. We also supported community clinics and other community health providers with grants, training, and technical assistance.

We addressed health inequities by providing much-needed clinical and social services to underserved populations. The Good Health & Great Hair program was developed by Kaiser Permanente in partnership with a network of trusted neighborhood barbershops and hair salons. The program was established to provide critical health and social support services in predominantly Black, historically redlined neighborhoods in West Baltimore, Maryland. The program included a mobile health van, training, on-site social services, and culturally relevant programming. We share outcomes and lessons learned in a recent publication: Kaiser Permanente’s Good Health & Great Hair Program: Partnering with Barbershops and Beauty Salons to Advance Health Equity in West Baltimore, Maryland.

Our impact

  • 352,046 low-income individuals and families received assistance with health care coverage.
  • 15,785 children and adults accessed health and social services, including behavioral health services, screenings, health education, medical and dental care, referrals, and case management—or they participated in trainings to improve health services delivered to underserved populations.
  • 15,144 individuals were provided transportation assistance to health-related appointments.
"Kaiser Permanente grant funding was used to support the continuation of virtual and telehealth efforts of the community partners as our region continued to struggle with Covid-19. Funding enhanced telehealth capabilities to support coordination with local public health organizations, such as the Prince William County Covid-19 Team and local homeless shelters. The funding also benefited our students who participated in experiential learning opportunities.” – George Washington Community Foundation

George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU) is the largest and most diverse university in the state of Virginia. Forty percent of GMU students are first-generation American immigrants, and more than one-third qualify for federal Pell Grants. GMU is changing the trajectory of generations through its academic programming and ability to launch people into careers that are vital to the health and well-being of Virginia residents. For nearly a decade, the GMU Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics have been working in communities across Northern Virginia to address social determinants of health and barriers to accessing health care. By following a bridge-care model, these clinics provide health care services to uninsured or underinsured residents and provide wrap-around case management to support social health needs, as well as health system navigation.

Success story

Kaiser Permanente has a robust partnership with George Mason University and the Mason and Partners Clinics. Grant funding, provided prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, established the Kaiser Permanente Community Wellness Hub on campus at GMU, which brought partner organizations together in a co-located space to leverage and combine their assets and better meet the needs of the community. The organization’s inclination to foster collaboration proved valuable when the pandemic hit. Earlier discussions with other nonprofit organizations about serving homeless communities via telehealth, prepared the MAP Clinics to rapidly deploy telehealth when virtual care became necessary. Their use of telehealth was extremely successful in meeting the needs of many clients and is expected to be utilized even as the pandemic abates.

With grant funding in 2020, George Mason University became the anchor partner for Kaiser Permanente’s place-based initiative in Bailey’s Crossroads/Culmore, a community located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Through this initiative, Kaiser Permanente is seeking to improve the conditions for health, equity, and opportunity for community residents experiencing racial and social inequities. Bailey’s Crossroads/Culmore, a predominantly immigrant community that has been historically and significantly under-resourced, was profoundly impacted by COVID-19, with positivity rates quickly reaching 40%. As an anchor partner with deep partnerships in the community, GMU and the MAP Clinics were able to rapidly supply residents with food, housing resources, and basic health services. These interventions improved outcomes for some of the most vulnerable residents in the community.

“Because we had Kaiser Permanente funding and the forethought to have established partnerships and build infrastructure, we quickly launched telehealth connections. When COVID hit, instead of trying to start up, we were positioned to go with telehealth almost immediately. It’s been very humbling to fill the basic needs of the people in this community.” – Mason and Partners Clinic

Economic opportunity

In 2020, we spearheaded initiatives to help youth and adults gain qualifications that set them up to enter and succeed in careers that pay a livable wage. We helped 3,174 youth and adults improve their academic performance, develop new skills, secure employment, and engage in economic growth.

Our impact

  • 2,653 youth and adults received supplemental services to support financial stability, career development, college readiness, and educational outcomes, including food distribution, school programming, employment support, and capacity building.
  • 342 youth and adults received career development services, including professional development, workshops, trainings, and job placements.
  • 179 organizational leaders and community members participated in activities designed to encourage community engagement in economic growth.
“Kaiser Permanente plays a leading role in the Purple Line Corridor Coalition because we support its mission of equitable economic development. The Purple Line Corridor Coalition works to ensure that neighbors, including small businesses, who have waited patiently for decades to use the new transit system will reap its benefits once it’s in operation, and won’t be displaced as a result of new construction, rising rents, and land values. To that end, we are investing in the Latino Economic Development Corporation’s work to strengthen the capacity of local small businesses. This is in addition to our work convening the Housing Accelerator Action Team, which works to produce and preserve affordable housing in the corridor." – George Leventhal, Director, Community Health, Kaiser Permanente

Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) is a membership association that supports the community development sector in Washington, DC. CNHED aims to foster just and equitable community development solutions that address the needs and aspirations of low- and moderate-income DC residents by convening, advocating for, and educating diverse stakeholders. CNHED supports and strengthens community development organizations to improve quality of life in DC’s neighborhoods.

In 2020, Kaiser Permanente’s funded CNHED’s DC Community Anchor Partnership which is a collaboration of prominent institutions that leverage their operations to advance equitable economic development in DC. These funds supported the Anchor Partnership’s goal of increasing procurement from DC-based minority-owned businesses to create jobs, boost incomes and generate wealth for people of color, thereby advancing inclusive prosperity in DC.

Success story

Pinke's E.A.T.S. catering company, located in Ward 7 of Washington, DC is a minority-owned business that provides catering, food delivery and food services, offering healthy alternatives to traditional fare. The owner of the business, Pinkey Reddick, spent many years working for Olive Garden and created new systems for the company. Pinkey then decided to start her own catering business. CNHED discovered Pinkey when she participated in a CNHED black catering service cook-off. CNHED members immediately fell in love with Pinkey and her food. CNHED brought her into the Anchor Partnership. As a result of this connection, Pinkey secured a contract with Georgetown Hospital Center, Johns Hopkins, and the DC Children’s Hospital. More recently, Pinkey was able to help with the DC community’s response to the COVID pandemic. She delivered meals to hospital workers through CNHED and now works with World Central Kitchen. Pinkey was already a success when CNHED met her, but her relationship with CNHED and their Anchor Partnership has helped her advance to large contracts, grow her business and employ more DC residents. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Pinke's E.A.T.S. had 5 employees; they now have 26.

“Pinkey is a great success story. Through her work with CNHED she has been able to grow her business and hire many more employees. This success helps the community at large, not just Pinkey.” – CNHED

Healthy communities

Kaiser Permanente has helped the region adopt healthy public policies and strengthen programs that improve educational outcomes, healthy eating, and stable housing. We provided the following services and support to 5,134 individuals:

  • Provided 2,491 students, teachers, and staff members with tutoring, training, and activities to boost staff morale and improve mental health.
  • Assisted 1,122 low- and moderate-income adults secure stable housing by providing them with counseling and supporting the production and preservation of affordable housing.
  • Reached 738 citizens and policymakers with the information they needed to effectively advocate for policy and zoning changes to support housing, education, employment, and health in the community.
  • Promoted and delivered services designed to enhance wellness and support healthy eating to 600 youth and adults.
  • Activated 183 Kaiser Permanente volunteers in support of healthier communities.
“Grant funds were used to support staffing for Thriving Germantown. Family Service Coordinators linked families confronted with problems, which were compounded by the deepened inequalities caused by the pandemic to a multitude of community resources. Most of these families’ individualized service plans were concentrated around food, financial, rental and/or utilities assistance, and supplemental educational resources and interventions to help their children who were struggling with online learning ... Additionally, accessing behavioral health and mental health services was a priority for families during this period.” – Sheppard Pratt, Thriving Germantown Community HUB

DC public schools

The DC Public School system utilizes grant money awarded by Kaiser Permanente to partially fund an evidence-based suicide prevention and depression awareness program for middle and high school students called SOS (Signs of Suicide). SOS is a peer-led intervention that targets real-world situations, teaches young people soft referral skills, and educates them on how to have difficult conversations with peers. Often, the goal of these conversations is for peers to refer fellow students in need of support to a trusted adult in the school so they can access the services and help address the need.

“This program – especially after schools moved virtual because of COVID 19 – has increased the recognition of the importance of the work that we do. People saw mental health support as a tool that only folks with serious problems had to access – now people see that these are natural human emotions, and it is okay to seek support. This experience has amplified the importance of mental health and helped to de-stigmatize talking about how you feel.” – District of Columbia Public Schools

Success story

Caleb is a 10th grade student at Eastern Senior High School in Washington, DC. He has experienced significant trauma throughout his life, which was exacerbated by the death of his mother when he was in 9th grade—his freshman year of high school. Caleb was referred to a school social worker by a student who was a peer leader in the school’s SOS program. Since making that connection, Caleb has blossomed and worked through some of his trauma. In fact, because of his positive experience, Caleb has asked to join the SOS program and become a peer leader so he can help other students.

“What stood out to people was knowing where [Caleb] was when he was referred – he was definitely in a space where he was feeling hopeless and helpless. Seeing his full turn-around was absolutely beautiful – he came to a place where he had hope and wanted to offer it to other students.” – District of Columbia Public Schools

Gratitude

We want to thank the many individuals, organizations, businesses, and nonprofits who have worked tirelessly to improve the health of our community members. The community’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, as highlighted in this Impact Report, speaks to the adaptability, determination, and commitment of our partners in health. We are proud of the work that we have accomplished together.

We also extend appreciation to the Kaiser Permanente Community Health team for their unwavering commitment to health, equity and social justice and authentic partnership with and in service of our members and communities.

Our community partners

Leveraging our assets

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Maya Nadison
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