PORT ANGELES — Olympic Connect, led by Olympic Community of Health — a liaison between people seeking care, healthcare professionals and clinics — is projected to launch in 2025.
The new initiative was the subject of discussion during Coffee with Colleen, a Zoom event hosted by the Clallam County Economic Development Council and Colleen McAleer on Wednesday.
This week’s session featured Miranda Burger, the director of programs at Olympic Community of Health, a non-profit organization that serves Clallam, Jefferson and Kitsap counties and seven tribal nations.
It has been collaborating with partners from diverse backgrounds, sectors, communities and tribes.
“In order to make a lasting impact, we really need a unified approach. We are stronger together,” Burger said.
The aim of the program is to foster connections between the community and clinical workforce, taking a person-centered approach to healthcare.
“Like so many places, the Olympic region faces a series of complicated health issues,” said Burger, who offered insight into what Olympic Community of Health is and what it has been working toward — a one-stop shop for community healthcare, one of eight sister organizations that serve nine regions in the state.
“Trying to address these health issues on our own, with limited resources, time, funding and skills, often feels like paddling against the current,” Burger said. “To make a lasting impact, we need a unified, collective approach, working together to paddle in the same direction, co-creating a healthier Olympic region for everyone to live and thrive.”
Olympic Community Health will work with people across diverse demographics, and whether insured or not, the organization’s mission is to enhance the health of people and communities while promoting equity through addressing health determinants.
“OCH will serve as the community care hub, called Olympic Connect, for the Olympic region,” Burger said. “Olympic Connect will connect community members to trusted community services and resources like housing, food assistance, health care, childcare and more in culturally appropriate and accessible ways.”
While it will not provide direct services and are currently not accepting referrals, once fully operational, the Community Care Hub will provide middleman services to connect people with the healthcare professionals and meet their needs where they are.
“Once launched, community members will be able to access Olympic Connect easily, in whatever way works best for them, including online, over the phone, in person or at community pop-up events,” said Burger, who has been with Olympic Community of Health since 2018 and has been its program director since 2020. “There will be no wrong door to connect with Olympic Connect.”
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Reporting intern Christopher Urquia is a student at Peninsula College. He can be reached by email at christopher.urquia@peninsuladailynews.com.
