FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ashley Bills, Corporate Director of Communications & Media Relations
740.525.5703 or [email protected]
 
United Church Homes Awarded $20,000 in Grants to Expand NaviGuide Service Coordination in Erie County
Sandusky, OH (Jan. 29, 2025) – United Church Homes (UCH) is proud to announce the receipt of three significant grants totaling $20,000 to expand its NaviGuide Service Coordination program in the Sandusky area. The grants include $5,000 from The Erie County Community Foundation, $10,000 from The Dorn Foundation, and $5,000 from The Mylander Foundation.
This funding supports UCH’s mission to transform aging through a culture of community, wholeness, and peace by providing a dedicated service coordinator to patients referred by Firelands Regional Medical Center, Family Health Services, The Parkvue Community and other local partners. Over the next 12 months, the program will engage approximately 100 patients transitioning between care settings, such as from hospital to home or hospital to The Parkvue Community and back home.
The UCH NaviGuide Service Coordinator plays a vital role in improving health outcomes by:
  • Conducting personalized assessments: Identifying patient needs and designing tailored interventions based on diagnoses, health status, social supports and care utilization.
  • Fostering collaboration: Enhancing cooperation among Erie County health organizations to provide seamless care transitions.
  • Providing supportive services: Addressing social determinants of health, offering wellness resources, and promoting engagement to combat isolation and depression.
In its third year, NaviGuide demonstrated remarkable success. Among 102 referrals, 70 patients received ongoing services, resulting in an 82% reduction in hospitalizations and ER visits at Firelands Regional Medical Center. This program not only improves individual patient outcomes but also reduces overall healthcare spending by preventing re-hospitalizations and promoting independence at home.
“Our NaviGuide Service Coordination program exemplifies our commitment to supporting underserved older adults in Erie County,” said Kim Yoder, UCH Engage Program Director. “These grants enable us to provide life-changing services that empower patients, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen the continuum of care in our community.”
For more information about NaviGuide and other United Church Homes initiatives, visit unitedchurchhomes.org.
###
For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2024 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living. 

About the Author: Anna Redd

View all articles by:

Share:
Related Articles