At The Fortune Society, Healthcare Coordination (HC) provides supportive services to individuals with chronic or complex medical conditions, helping them access necessary healthcare. In partnership with the New York State Department of Health’s Health Home Program, these services are provided for free to anyone currently on Medicaid and living with chronic medical or mental health needs.  

HC seeks to address the various needs of participants by offering direct services for people with chronic health concerns, assistance connecting to primary care and other community-based services and by providing holistic supportive services at Fortune. Acting as a “healthcare concierge” for our participants, the HC team helps them schedule appointments, provides medical transportation, connects them with care providers and more. 

Ariel connected with Fortune a year ago in search of employment assistance. He completed the three-week job readiness workshop with Employment Services and secured his ServSafe and Food Handlers certifications. However, while participating in these trainings, Ariel noticed his health declining; he was diagnosed with COPD, and he sought assistance managing his healthcare needs.  

Ariel quickly connected with HC, and his care manager, Amanda, has provided critical support while he navigates frequent doctor appointments, tests and other treatments.  

“Amanda is my counselor, advisor and more,” Ariel explained. “She has all my papers; she speaks with my doctor, and she keeps me on track. Every time I see her, I update her to let her know that I’m keeping up with my appointments and how things are going.” 

When he first connected with Fortune, Ariel had a primary care physician in Brooklyn; however, when he moved to the Bronx, he struggled to find someone to address his complex health needs. With Amanda’s help, he found a primary care physician in his new neighborhood, making his doctor visits much more convenient.

HC also provides holistic services that help participants live healthier lives, including assisting with grocery shopping, creating shelter care kits and connecting participants with housing application assistance. 

Dwayne, an HC participant, connected with Fortune eight months ago. He had previously been diagnosed with COPD and already had a primary care physician when he began services with the HC team. Since enrolling, he has received holistic support from his care manager, Amanda, that has helped ease some of his health concerns and his reentry process as a whole.

Dwayne has seen immense growth in himself since coming to Fortune. Although he shared that he previously didn’t prioritize his health, he has benefited from having a support system that encourages him to continue building healthy habits.  

“The staff at Fortune, like my care manager and everyone else, have helped me a lot,” Dwayne shared. “Without them, I wouldn’t be the person I am now. I have benefited a lot from coming here.”