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Social Care

The MercyOne Community Health and Well-being Social Care program helps patients experiencing barriers to healthy food, transportation, childcare and affordable medications access these essential resources. Our Social Care Program includes Community Health Workers (CHWs) who serve as liaisons between health care providers and community service providers.

CHWs are located within a variety of MercyOne primary care locations and MercyOne Emergency Departments across Iowa. CHWs spend time with patients to assess their social needs and risk factors to create connections with the appropriate services within the community.  

CHWs frequently help patients with:

  • Food assistance
  • Housing resources and program applications
  • Transportation assistance
  • Utilities and other financial assistance
  • Social support
  • Child care
  • Low/no cost medications or medication delivery for those unable to leave their home  
  • Benefit enrollment support (unemployment, Medicaid and SNAP)  
  • Behavioral health resources
  • Substance use resources

For additional free or reduced-cost health and social resources visit our Community Resource Directory.