Project Well-Being

Sometimes a person needs more than healthcare to be healthy. Many things can affect our well-being like being lonely, unable to meet basic needs, language, culture, even our skin color, and where we work, live and play. Project Well-Being bridges the gap to connect patients and families to resources and support with the help of a Community Health Worker.

How Does Project Well-Being Work?

Patients are asked to complete a short screener we call ‘Community Connect’ once a year. The form asks questions about having issues with loneliness, housing, food, job loss, paying bills, insurance, clothing, legal issues and child care- these are called Social Determinants of Health. These topics are not just challenges that lower income or underserved communities face. If you are feeling stressed about any of these things and could use some help, please know that the Community Health Workers are able to help connect you to the resources that are available. There is no cost to you to complete the Community Connect screener or to utilize a Community Health Worker.

The Screener

If you check YES in any of the boxes and check YES to wanting help with any of these issues, a Mankato Clinic Care Manager will set you up with a Community Health Worker to address their needs in a culturally appropriate and socially sensitive way. CHW’s connect with patients face-to-face, over the phone, and even in patients’ homes.

Project Well-Being

If you check YES to having issues and concerns but do not wish to meet with a Community Health Worker, that’s OK. We will give you a resource card with a link to an online directory of local resources and services along with an offer to call us at any point if you change your mind and want assistance.

There is no deadline to enroll in Project Well-Being. If you don’t need help now, but need support later, call the number below to be connected with a Community Health Worker. Project Well-Being is here for support when needed at NO COST.

507-385-3939

NicBluCaresNOW Website

NicBluCaresNOW.com is an online community resource directory for all Nicollet and Blue Earth County residents to find the help and social services they need. On the NicBluCaresNOW website, people can search the directory for food pantries, housing, clothing, transportation, medical care, parenting support, financial assistance, education, employment, legal assistance and other services and resources. Our CHWs also use this website to help patients and make sure services are received.

Community Health Workers

The Mankato Clinic is collaborating with Wellshare International to provide Community Health Workers to assist our patients. Their community health workers are trained to provide a range of health services to all patients, including connection to basic needs in the community.

Introducing the Community Health Workers:

**Mohamed** is a passionate advocate for CHW services in the area. He is a trained physician with years of both public health and surgical experience. Mohamed brings Somali cultural and linguistic capabilities to his role and he serves as an Imam and community organizer at a local Mosque.

Community Connect Screener

Patients are asked to complete the Community Connect Screener once per year. The screener helps to identify if patients are struggling with meeting basic needs and could use help connecting to resources. There is no cost to complete the form or to receive services.

Community Connect Screener Download