Utah Social Care Summit: Highlights from the Beehive State
At our recent Utah Social Care Summit, we convened healthcare leaders, state officials, community-based organizations (CBOs), and navigators. Throughout the day we discussed how technology and cross-sector collaboration can advance health outcomes across the state. From rural health strategies to local county initiatives, the day focused on building a connected social care ecosystem.
As state initiatives like Senate Bill 288 mandate a statewide Closed-Loop Referral System (CLRS) and the governor’s Reimagining Hope initiative addresses crisis homelessness, leaders came together to align on best practices for lasting impact.
Read on for key takeaways:
How Utah leaders are leveraging state policies and local hubs to streamline social care access.
Proven strategies from Tennessee’s multi-agency social care expansion and rural health partnerships.
Key insights from KLAS Research on measuring social care outcomes and driving return on investment.
A special thank you to everyone who joined us and to our fantastic speakers for sharing their insight, experiences, and vision.
Highlights from the 2026 Utah Social Care Summit
This year’s Summit featured 75 participants representing government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and more:
Below are some of the key themes and takeaways from a day of learning and sharing.
A vision for Utah’s connected future
Findhelp Founder and CEO Erine Gray kicked off the Summit by reflecting on the history of the American safety net and the need to modernize support systems. He highlighted major legislative momentum in Utah, including SB 288, which directs Medicaid to establish a statewide CLRS. He also addressed the state’s Reimagining Hope initiative, anchored by a 1,300-bed intake campus designed to support unhoused residents into stability.
Erine noted that Governor Spencer Cox outlined a clear direction for the state’s safety net. Governor Cox has the goal to “make Utah the worst place in the country to camp on the street—and the best place to get help.” By integrating technology across state agencies and community partners, Findhelp supports a “no wrong door” approach so individuals receive timely, dignified care.
Driving collective impact through local leadership
During a panel on collective impact, Caitlin Schneider (Promise Partnership Utah), Mikelle Moore (Multiplier Advisors), and Todd McGee (United Way of Salt Lake / 211 Utah) discussed how targeted, local initiatives drive statewide progress. Todd highlighted the vital role 211 plays in emergency response and daily navigation, and emphasized the foundational need for stable shelter.
“Housing is so critical to everything that happens. If your housing is not right, things fall apart after that.”
Todd McGee
Managing Director, 211 Utah
United Way of Salt Lake
In Davis County, Health Strategy Manager Isa Perry and Community Outreach Planner Marcie Clark showcased Davis Links, a community connector network powered by Findhelp. Operating without dedicated state mandates or policy funding, the network relies on cross-sector trust built over a decade. Isa shared the guiding philosophy behind their Community Health Improvement Plan:
“Connection is the key. Resilience is the outcome.”
Isa Perry
Health Strategy Manager
Davis County Health Department
Cross-state spotlight: Scaling rural health in Tennessee
Dr. Victor Wu, Chief Medical Officer at TennCare, joined Findhelp’s Vice President of Customer Success, Rachel Lauderdale, to share lessons from scaling the Tennessee Community Compass. Backed by a $125 million investment, the initiative connects managed care organizations (MCOs), health systems, and state agencies on a single platform.
Dr. Victor described how a care coordinator helped a young man experiencing an overdose access recovery housing, job training, and behavioral healthcare within 24 hours.
Reflecting on that successful referral, he noted, “That story should not be the exception. That should be the norm.”
Live from Tennessee: MCOs Complete 13,000 Screenings & 4,000 Referrals in First 3 Months
To scale across rural areas, Tennessee partnered with the Rural Health Association of Tennessee to act as a field execution team. Dr. Victor advised states building social care networks about the importance of strategic coalition-building.
“You’ve got to find a way to convene, you’ve got to find a way to aggregate, and build a strategic coalition.”
Dr. Victor Wu
Chief Medical Officer
TennCare
Evidence-based outcomes and technology innovations
Ben Cassity, Director of Research and Strategy at KLAS Research, presented findings from an analysis of 13 social care collaborations across the country. The research identified three core steps for success:
- Notice needs early
- Connect individuals to resources
- Close the loop to lower healthcare costs
Highlighted cases included Parkland Health (a Findhelp customer), which achieved a $1.30 return for every dollar invested in social care navigation. Emphasizing the importance of authentic relationships, Ben shared:
‘Best in KLAS for SDoH’: One Year is Potential, Five Years is Proven
“You don’t install trust. You earn it, one person at a time.”
Benjamin Cassity
Director of Research and Strategy
KLAS Research
Findhelp also previewed upcoming platform enhancements designed to simplify navigation. These innovations include:
- Specialty Networks: Single-search referral workflows for outpatient behavioral health and post-acute care facilities.
- Benefits Eligibility: An automated Eligibility Check tool that screens seekers for 10 core federal and state income-based programs.
- AI Navigation Assistant: Conversational discovery tools to guide individuals in need and support high-volume call center workflows.
Beyond the Summit: Our work in Utah
While the Utah Social Care Summit provided a rich day of insight and connection, the real work continues — in homes, clinics, schools, and community hubs across the state.
- 5,800 listed program locations serving Utah
- 912,000 users across the state
- 2.2 million searches for resources
- 100% of counties have claimed programs
As of August 2026, we partner with almost a dozen customers throughout the state. They use the Findhelp platform to connect their patients, members, students, constituents, and clients to local resources. Our data and analytic tools can identify gaps in services and provide actionable insights to inform strategy and public policy.
Let’s keep the conversation going
Connecting communities requires strong infrastructure, dedicated champions, and plainspoken collaboration. As Utah continues to expand its social care network, our team remains dedicated to supporting providers, empowering navigators, and ensuring every resident finds help with dignity and ease.
If you’re interested in how Findhelp can strengthen social in your community — whether you’re a health system, community-based organization, payer, or state agency — we’d love to chat.
