Place-Based Navigation Services: Meeting People Where They Are

In an increasingly diverse and complex world, effective outreach requires a tailored approach that meets individuals where they are—both physically and situationally. At Health Net of West Michigan, we understand this to be an approach that provides services to clients in locations that they are already

 familiar with. Our Place-Based Navigation Services address the barriers that lack of proximity can further create on the timeliness of services when they are most needed. It is changing how our case managers and place-based partner organizations engage with their clients, especially those facing various challenges in accessing essential resources. By understanding the unique needs of each population in the “place”, our approach seeks to increase engagement and remove barriers that often hinder access to support.

A key component of this model is the provision of a dedicated case manager on-site at the place-based partner agency. The case manager serves not only as a resource but as a pivotal connection for clients, walking alongside their journey navigating resources through often complicated systems. By working directly with clients at these locations, our staff are more effective in their advocacy for clients, screening and identifying pressing needs, and helping them navigate local services, whether it’s housing assistance, health care, or food resources.

People’s needs are often as varied as their cultural backgrounds and personal histories. With Place-Based Navigation Services, our outreach is specific and tailored to address these nuances, ensuring that each interaction resonates with clients. This approach empowers community members, fostering trust and involvement, as they see practitioners who understand their environment and circumstances. Place-based partner organizations are also able to work collaboratively with us to meet the needs of their client population in other ways. An example of this is our place-based partnership with AYA. Young adults seek services at AYA due to unstable housing situations, and our place-based case manager conducts screening for other needs related to social determinants of health that the young adult is working through concurrently. This allows the young adult client to obtain a full spectrum of services in one place with the expertise needed to address those concerns.

By situating services within the community and employing knowledgeable staff, our aim is to bring essential support closer to those who need it most, turning potential obstacles into steps toward self-efficacy for our community members. In essence, Place-Based Navigation Services is more than a program; it’s a commitment to meeting people where they are—ensuring that comprehensive support is not just a privilege but a readily available aspect of community life.