4A (Expenses $ 815065233 including grants of $ 351348) (Revenue $ 939032538)
SOUTHCOAST PROVIDES INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF INDIVIDUALS IN ITS COMMUNITIES. SOUTHCOAST RECORDED 196,749 INPATIENT DAYS, PERFORMED 15,726 SURGERIES AND 10,341 ENDOSCOPIES, PROVIDED 3,220,426 LABORATORY TESTS, PERFORMED 415,113 RADIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES, 192,194 PHYSICAL MEDICINE VISITS, 665 PCI CORONARY INTERVENTIONS, 2,068 DIAGNOSTIC CATHERIZATIONS, 379 OPEN HEART SURGERIES, 1,538 ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY CASES, 626 CORONARY DEVICE IMPLANTS, 2,895 NEWBORN ADMISSIONS, PERFORMED 35,726 RADIATION AND MEDICAL CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS AND CARED FOR 155,154 EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR SUCH SERVICES. IN FY2022 SHG HAD 21,576 COVID INTERACTIONS, MADE UP OF 1,291 INPATIENT DISCHARGES AND 20,285 OP VISITS.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 3E
AS A COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM, SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM CONTINUALLY STRIVES TO IDENTIFY THE PRIORITY HEALTH NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENSURE THAT ITS SERVICES ARE ALIGNED WITH THESE NEEDS. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT ASSISTS WITH THIS GOAL BY DOCUMENTING THE MAJOR DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND HEALTH TRENDS AMONG SOUTHCOAST RESIDENTS AND BY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP INFORMATION-DRIVEN PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF SOUTHCOAST RESIDENTS. ALL SIGNIFICANT HEALTH NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE CHNA.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 5
IN OCTOBER 2022 SOUTHCOAST COMPLETED THE THREE-YEAR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT (CHNA) WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ADDRESSING HEALTH EQUITY ISSUES IN AND AROUND THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. THE CHNA DOCUMENTS THE MAJOR DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIOECONOMIC, AND HEALTH TRENDS AMONG SOUTH COAST RESIDENTS, WITH THE GOAL OF THE ASSESSMENT TO INFORM DATA-DRIVEN OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES THAT CAN BE USED TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF SOUTH COAST RESIDENTS. OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT WAS CONDUCTED IN COLLABORATION WITH SPRINGLINE RESEARCH GROUP, WHO COMPLETED A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL HEALTH AND DEMOGRAPHIC DATA. THE ANALYSIS IS ENHANCED BY QUALITATIVE DATA GATHERED THROUGH STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEWS AND SURVEYS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. (E-I) THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE CHNA IS TO PRIORITIZE THE REGION'S HEALTH ISSUES USING A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT EXAMINES HEALTH DATA, LEVERAGES THE EXPERTISE OF KEY INFORMANTS, AND INCORPORATES COMMUNITY VIEWS. 23 KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS WERE HELD TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO REPRESENT THE BROAD INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO SERVES ON PFAC/CBAC BROWN UNIVERSITY FATHER BILL'S AND MAINSPRING UNITED WAY OF GREATER NEW BEDFORD COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER (CECD) INTERCHURCH COUNCIL OF GREATER NEW BEDFORD (ICC) GREATER NEW BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER UNITED NEIGHBORS OF FALL RIVER SER JOBS FOR PROGRESS VETERANS TRANSITION HOUSE MARION INSTITUTE PEOPLE ACTING IN COMMUNITY ENDEAVORS (PACE) FALL RIVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT STEPPINGSTONE IMMIGRANTS ASSISTANCE CENTER (IAC) NEW BEDFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEOPLE INCORPORATED GREATER FALL RIVER FOOD PANTRY FALL RIVER HOUSING AUTHORITY IN ADDITION TO KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEWS, A COMMUNITY SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE FALL RIVER AND NEW BEDFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO DETERMINE THE TOP HEALTH ISSUES AND OBSTACLES AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS. A TOTAL OF 1,255 SURVEYS WERE COMPLETED, WITH THE MAJORITY BEING COMPLETED BY NEW BEDFORD RESIDENTS. OVER TWO THIRDS OF RESPONDENTS (66.8%) WERE HISPANIC AND 68.9% WERE WOMEN. THE AGE COHORTS WERE RELATIVELY BALANCED. MOST RESPONDENTS WERE IN THE LOWER MEDIAN INCOME BRACKET, WITH 63.8% HAVING A MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME BELOW $25,000. NEARLY TWENTY-NINE PERCENT (28.9%) REPORT THAT THEY PRIMARILY SPEAK A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH; 80.1% OF THESE RESPONDENTS SPEAK SPANISH. AN ONLINE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER (HSSP) SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW BEDFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE FALL RIVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO FURTHER IDENTIFY AND UNDERSTAND THE REGION'S PRIMARY HEALTH ISSUES AND CHALLENGES. A TOTAL OF 200 SURVEYS WERE COMPLETED. THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS WERE EITHER REPRESENTATIVES OF A NON-PROFIT/SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY (47%) OR A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER (25%) THESE ORGANIZATIONS SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITIES. THESE ORGANIZATIONS SERVE A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITIES.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6A
SOUTHCOAST HOSPITALS GROUP, INC. CONDUCTS ITS CHNA WITH SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 6B
SOUTHCOAST HOSPITALS GROUP, INC. COLLABORATES WITH SPRINGLINE RESEARCH GROUP.

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7A
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOAST.ORG/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2022/09/SOUTHCOAST-HEALTH-CH NA-2022.PDF

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 7D
OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT IS WIDELY SHARED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND IS OFTEN USED IN GRANT WRITING AND COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING. IN FY22, OUR NEEDS ASSESSMENT DATA WAS SHARED WITH AND UTILIZED BY: BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER NEW BEDFORD COASTLINE ELDERLY GREATER NEW BEDFORD ALLIES FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS (CHNA 26) GREATER NEW BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IMMIGRANTS ASSISTANCE CENTER (IAC) INTER CHURCH COUNCIL (ICC) JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF SE MA NEW BEDFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT - COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE NEW BEDFORD HEALTHY PARTNERSHIP PARTNERS FOR A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY (CHNA 25) SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (SRTA) VETERANS TRANSITION HOUSE UNITED WAY OF GREATER NEW BEDFORD YMCA SOUTHCOAST

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 10A
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOAST.ORG/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2023/04/FY22-FY24-IMP-STRATE GY.PDF

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 11
"COMMUNITY BENEFITS PLAN SOUTHCOAST'S COMMUNITY BENEFITS STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN WAS FIRST FORMULATED IN 1998 AS THE RESULT OF AN EXTENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND SINCE IS UPDATED ANNUALLY. THE 2022 CHNA WILL SERVE AS THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT THREE ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEALTH BENEFITS IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES. SOUTHCOAST HEALTH'S COMMUNITY HEALTH BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CBAC) WILL ENGAGE IN AN ONGOING EVALUATION OF PROGRESS MADE ON THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM GOALS OF THE ANNUAL IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY, RECOMMENDING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PLAN AS NEEDED TO POSITIVELY IMPACT AND ADVANCE THE HEALTH-RELATED NEEDS OF THE POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED. THROUGH THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS, FIVE PRIORITY HEALTH ISSUES WERE IDENTIFIED BASED ON THE AVAILABLE HEALTH DATA, SURVEYS OF PROVIDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND INTERVIEWS WITH KEY COMMUNITY LEADERS. THESE PRIORITIES ARE: 1. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (SUB-CATEGORIES: SOCIAL MOBILITY, INCOME, EDUCATION): ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CAN BE DEFINED AS THE ABILITY OF A PERSON TO REACH THEIR PERSONAL POTENTIAL. OPPORTUNITY INCLUDES HAVING ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAINING A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE, SUCH AS EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTHY FOODS, CHILDCARE, AND STABLE EMPLOYMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND STRUCTURAL BARRIERS PREVENT SOME SOUTH COAST RESIDENTS FROM ACHIEVING THEIR POTENTIAL. THESE INCLUDE OBSTACLES SUCH AS CONCENTRATED POVERTY, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, LOW WAGES, UNEQUAL EDUCATIONAL ACCESS, AND LACK OF QUALITY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDHOOD LEARNING. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BEGINS WITH DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR FAMILIES TO BECOME ECONOMICALLY STABLE SO THEY CAN BETTER SUPPORT HEALTHY CHILDREN AND BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. ABOVE ALL, IT REQUIRES A COORDINATED EFFORT AMONG THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO LESSEN THE IMPACTS OF POVERTY ON THE SOUTH COAST. POVERTY IS A MAJOR SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH. THOSE IN POVERTY OFTEN HAVE LESS OPPORTUNITY AND LESS ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT CAN ASSIST IN IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING ONE'S HEALTH. RESOURCES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING STATUS, HEALTH CARE OPPORTUNITIES, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE ALL LESS ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY. 2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH (SUB-CATEGORIES: MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER + NAS, YOUTH TRAUMA): MENTAL HEALTH EMERGED THROUGHOUT THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT AS ONE OF THE REGION'S MOST PROMINENT HEALTH ISSUE. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXAMINES HOW A PERSON'S HABITS AFFECT THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. THIS INCLUDES BEHAVIORS RELATED TO NUTRITION, EXERCISE, SMOKING, SLEEP, AND STRESS. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS ALSO A BLANKET TERM THAT INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. AS ONE MIGHT EXPECT, COVID-19 EXACERBATED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES SIGNIFICANTLY, WITH THREE PRIMARY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES STRESSED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROVIDERS: (1) THE SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, (2) THE OVERALL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY THE SHORTAGE OF BEDS, AND (3) EQUITY IN MENTAL HEALTH, INCLUDING ISSUES OF ACCESS AND STIGMA. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) CONTINUES TO BE IDENTIFIED AS A MAJOR CHALLENGE IN THE REGION, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF THE LINKS BETWEEN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, POVERTY, AND HOMELESSNESS. THE REGION HAD 205 CONFIRMED OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS IN 2021. NOT ONLY IS THIS THE GREATEST ANNUAL NUMBER OF OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS SINCE 2013, BUT THE NUMBER OF DEATHS HAS INCREASED STEADILY SINCE 2013. ANOTHER OUTCOME OF THE OPIOID CRISIS IS THE RATE OF NEWBORNS BORN WITH NEONATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME (NAS). NAS IS A GROUP OF CONDITIONS THAT BABIES EXPERIENCE AFTER BEING EXPOSED TO NARCOTICS IN THE WOMB. INFANTS BORN WITH NAS CAN HAVE LOW BIRTH WEIGHT, RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, FEEDING DIFFICULTY, TREMORS, INCREASED IRRITABILITY, DIARRHEA, AND OCCASIONALLY SEIZURES. ALTHOUGH DATA ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE OPIOID CRISIS IS IMPACTING NEWBORNS IN SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS AT A GREATER RATE THAN ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE. 3. HOUSING (SUB-CATEGORIES: HOMELESSNESS, STABILITY, AFFORDABILITY): HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH. A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTRIBUTES TO HOUSING INSTABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS, BOTH OF WHICH ARE STRONG PREDICTORS OF POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES. HOUSING EMERGED AS A PRIMARY ISSUE OF CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS, WITH MANY STAKEHOLDERS CONSISTENTLY IDENTIFYING HOUSING AS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANT THAT AFFECTS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. OVERALL, STAKEHOLDERS ARE CLEAR THAT HOUSING CHALLENGES HAVE BEEN MADE WORSE BY COVID-19, ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC PRIMARILY WORSENED EXISTING HOUSING ISSUES. THE REGION'S HOUSING ISSUE IS PRIMARILY TWOFOLD: THE FOCUS IN THE REGION'S CITIES IS LARGELY ON RISING RENTS AND ITS IMPLICATION ON THE WORKING POOR AND PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES. CONVERSELY, THE ISSUE IN MANY OF THE AREA'S SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES IS FOCUSED ON THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SINGLE-FAMILY HOME PRICES. THIS DYNAMIC IS CREATING ISSUES FOR SENIORS WHO WANT TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES BUT WHO ARE ""HOUSE RICH, CASH POORFOR YOUNGER FAMILIES WHO LEAVE THE REGION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD HOMES IN THE AREA. HOUSING INSECURITY DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND SENIORS. THIS TREND IS EVIDENT IN FALL RIVER AND NEW BEDFORD WHERE WHITE HOUSEHOLDS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE BURDENED BY HOUSING COSTS THAN THEIR NEIGHBORS. NOTABLY, LOWER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE PRIMARILY RENTERS, AND THIS GROUP IS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE EXPERIENCED A JOB LOSS DURING THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRIES IMPACTED THE HARDEST BY THE PANDEMIC, EITHER BECAUSE OF LAYOFFS OR THE INABILITY TO WORK REMOTELY. COMMUNITY LEADERS IDENTIFIED HOMELESSNESS AS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN THE REGION, WHICH IS PARTLY AN OUTCOME OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER, WHICH ARE HIGHLY PREVALENT AMONG THE HOMELESS POPULATION, ARE ALSO KEY FACTORS IN THE HOMELESSNESS EQUATION. OFTEN, EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN COMBINATION WITH THESE ISSUES CREATES CHALLENGES FOR ENTERING SHELTERS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING. IN ADDITION, THE ASSESSMENT CAPTURED THAT THE USE OF THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IS OFTEN THEIR PRIMARY MEANS OF ACCESSING HEALTH CARE. IN DOING SO, COMMUNITY LEADERS POINT OUT THAT THE HOMELESS ONLY ENGAGE WITH THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WHEN THEY ARE EXPERIENCING A HEALTH CRISIS. THUS, NOT ONLY IS THERE CONCERN THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS DO NOT RECEIVE PREVENTIVE CARE, BUT ALSO THAT THEY DO NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE FOLLOW-UP ON THEIR HEALTH ISSUES. 4. WELLNESS & CHRONIC DISEASE (SUB-CATEGORIES: UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS, HEALTH OUTCOMES, PREVENTION): FOR MANY, HEALTH AND WELLNESS FIT WITHIN A LARGER FRAMEWORK OF OBLIGATIONS, RANGING FROM ISSUES SUCH AS HOUSING, FINANCES, AND CHILDCARE, TO TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, IMMIGRATION, AND SAFETY. THESE RESPONSIBILITIES CREATE OBSTACLES TO MAINTAINING OVERALL HEALTH AND TO ADOPTING HEALTHY HABITS THAT HELP TO PREVENT OR MANAGE DISEASE. UNHEALTHY BEHAVIORS LEAD TO POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES. TOBACCO USE, PHYSICAL INACTIVITY, AND POOR NUTRITION CONTRIBUTE TO PREVENTABLE CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS DIABETES, CANCER, HEART DISEASE, AND LUNG DISEASE. WHILE SOME CHRONIC CONDITIONS ARE A RESULT OF BEHAVIOR OR GENETICS, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS CAN ALSO ELEVATE THE RISK OF CONTRACTING CHRONIC DISEASES. HEALTH PROVIDERS CAUTION THAT WHILE EDUCATING RESIDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING HEALTHY AND WAYS TO ACHIEVE GOOD HEALTH, IT IS EQUALLY NECESSARY TO DISMANTLE BARRIERS THAT PREVENT MANY PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING THE SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO BE HEALTHY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO HEALTH INEQUITIES. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) DEFINES FOOD INSECURITY AS A LACK OF CONSISTENT ACCESS TO ENOUGH FOOD FOR AN ACTIVE, HEALTHY LIFE. THE USDA ESTIMATES THAT IN 2021, 33.8 MILLION AMERICANS LIVED IN FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS AND 8.6 MILLION ADULTS LIVED IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY. THESE RATES ARE HIGHER FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN OR HISPANIC DESCENT. WHILE FOOD INSECURITY IS CLOSELY LINKED TO POVERTY, PEOPLE ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE CAN EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY, WHICH WAS ESPECIALLY EVIDENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PEOPLE WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE ARE AT AN INCREASED RISK FOR A VARIETY OF NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, INCLUDING OBESITY AND OTHER CHRONIC DISEASES. FOOD INSECURITY OFTEN OVERLAPS WITH MANY OF THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH DISCUSSED THROUGHOUT THIS REPORT SUCH AS INCOME, HOUSING, RACE, AND EDUCATION. CONSEQUENTLY, STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY MUST BE UNDERTAKEN IN A SOCIAL DETERMINANT CONTEXT. 5. HEALTH ACCESS & EQUITY (SUB-CATEGORIES: UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, OBSTACLES TO CARE, HEALTH LITERACY): REGULAR ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL IN MANAGING HEALTH CONDITIONS, PREVENTING NEW CONDITIONS FROM ARISING, AND PROMOTING AND MAINTAINING OVERALL GOOD HEA"

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16A
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOAST.ORG/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16B
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOAST.ORG/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/

PART V, SECTION B, LINE 16C
HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHCOAST.ORG/FINANCIAL-ASSISTANCE/

PART V, SECTION B, LINES 20A-D
SHG DID NOT ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE ACTIONS IN LINE 19 DURING FY2022.

PART I, LINE 3C
"DISCOUNTS ARE AFFORDED TO A ""QUALIFYING PATIENT"" - PATIENT WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND WHO IS UNINSURED FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY HOSPITAL SERVICES. ELIGIBLE BALANCES ARE THOSE AMOUNTS FOR WHICH QUALIFYING PATIENTS HAVE FULL RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO LACK OF INSURANCE. OBLIGATIONS DO NOT INCLUDE CO-INSURANCE, DEDUCTIBLES OR BALANCES DUE AFTER INSURANCE OR OUT-OF-NETWORK SERVICES. A DISCOUNT OF 25% OF THE TOTAL CHARGES WILL BE APPLIED AT THE TIME OF INITIAL BILLING. ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS MAY BE POSSIBLE BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE BALANCE, TIMELINESS OF PAYMENT AND FINANCIAL NEED. THESE ARE GIVEN INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION. SHG WILL SEEK TO ADVISE QUALIFYING PATIENTS WITH RESPECT TO AVAILABILITY OF DISCOUNT PURSUANT TO THIS POLICY AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY OF LOW INCOME AND MASSHEALTH BENEFITS. THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE POLICY EXPLAINS IN DETAIL THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. INCLUDING FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES WITH A LIMIT OF 150% FOR FREE CARE AND 300% FOR DISCOUNTED CARE, ASSET LEVEL, MEDICAL INDIGENCY, INSURED STATUS, UNDERINSURED STATUS, AND RESIDENCY CRITERIA."

PART I, LINE 7
ACTUAL COST FOR ALL SHG PATIENT SEGMENTS WAS USED TO CALCULATE THE VALUE OF CHARITY CARE.

PART I, LINE 7G
INCLUDED IN SUBSIDIZED HEALTH SERVICES AT COST ARE COSTS AND OFFSETTING REVENUES ASSOCIATED WITH SHG'S LEVEL II NURSERY AND INPATIENT REHABILITATIVE SERVICES. SHG IS THE SOLE PROVIDER OF THESE SERVICES IN ITS COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDES SUCH SERVICES AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT DESPITE THE LOSSES INCURRED.

PART II
Southcoast engages in a number of community building activities that promote infrastructure improvement in communities and the development of policies and programs that address social determinants of health and improving health equity in the South Coast region. Southcoast leads and convenes collaborative groups and actively participates on numerous coalitions that work to improve the health and wellness of our community. Southcoast is the co-leader of the Bristol County Regional Alliance to end the opioid crisis, which a regional coalition focused on increasing communication and collaboration of all entities working to address the Opioid Epidemic across the South Coast Region. Southcoast is also lead implementation partner of The Basics, Southcoast initiative and serves on the steering committee for the Southcoast Coalition for Early Childhood Education. The Basics are five parenting and caregiving principles that support social, emotional, and cognitive development in children from birth to age three, with the goal to improve kindergarten readiness. Additionally, Southcoast serves on the steering committee for the Homeless Service Provider Network (HSPN) to combat homelessness and the rising costs of affordable housing, the advisory board for the Southcoast Food Policy Council, which connects, convenes, and advocates for local food producers, consumers, and community leaders who seek policy and systems that strengthen our regional food system, improve community health, and eliminate food insecurity, and on the steering committees for the local area CHNA's in Fall River and New Bedford.

PART III, LINE 2
THE COSTING METHODOLOGY USED TO CALCULATE BAD DEBT EXPENSE REPORTED IN PART III, LINE 2 WAS BASED ON A RATIO OF COST TO CHARGE METHODOLOGY. DISCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNTS CONSIDERED AS BAD DEBT OFFSET THE TOTAL BAD DEBT EXPENSE RECORDED. PART III, LINE 3 PER SHG'S ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES, A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION WOULD QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BUT DO NOT APPLY. DUE TO THIS SHG CONSIDERS THIS AMOUNT OF BAD DEBT AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT EXPENSE. PART III, LINE 4 FOR PATIENTS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE, SHG RECOGNIZES REVENUE ON THE BASIS OF ITS STANDARD RATES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY POLICY. ON THE BASIS OF HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE, A PORTION OF SHG'S UNINSURED PATIENTS WILL BE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES PROVIDED. THUS, SHG RECORDS A PROVISION FOR BAD DEBTS RELATED TO UNINSURED PATIENTS IN THE PERIOD THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED. FOOTNOTE 2 (PAGES 8-9) AND FOOTNOTE 3 (PAGE 13) OF THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RELATES TO ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND BAD DEBTS.

PART III, LINE 8
THE COST ACCOUNTING METHODOLOGY USED IS THE SAME METHODOLOGY USED FOR THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL. THE MEDICARE SHORTFALL SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS A COMMUNITY BENEFIT SINCE SHG IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL REGARDLESS OF THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR SUCH SERVICES.

PART III, LINE 9B
SHG'S CREDIT AND COLLECTION POLICY CONTAINS PROVISIONS REGARDING COLLECTION PRACTICES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR PATIENTS KNOWN TO QUALIFY FOR CHARITY CARE OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. FOR INDIVIDUALS DETERMINED TO BE LOW INCOME PATIENTS ANY SERVICES PROVIDED PRIOR TO SUCH DETERMINATION DATE AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAFETY NET (HSN) WILL BE WRITTEN OFF AS CHARITY CARE. ANY SERVICE DENIED BY THE HSN FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICES WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED CHARITY CARE. ANY COPAYMENTS OR DEDUCTIBLES FOR MASSHEALTH AND MASSHEALTH MANAGED CARE RECIPIENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED CHARITY CARE IF UNRESOLVED AT THE CONCLUSION OF SHG'S COLLECTION PROCESS. THE FOLLOWING ARE EXEMPT FROM ANY COLLECTION OR BILLING PROCEDURES BEYOND THE INITIAL BILL PURSUANT TO STATE REGULATIONS: 1. PATIENTS ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM, EXCEPT SHG MAY SEEK COLLECTION ACTION AGAINST ANY PATIENT ENROLLED IN A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THEIR REQUIRED COPAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES AS SET FORTH IN EACH PLAN; 2. SHG MAY INITIATE BILLING AND COLLECTION FOR A PATIENT ALLEGING TO PARTICIPATE IN A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT COVERS THE COSTS OF SHG SERVICES BUT FAILS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF PARTICIPATION; 3. SHG MAY CONTINUE COLLECTION ACTION ON ANY LOW INCOME PATIENT FOR SERVICES RENDERED PRIOR TO THE LOW INCOME DETERMINATION, HOWEVER, COLLECTION ACTION WILL CEASE ONCE ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED; AND 4. SHG WILL NOT SEEK COLLECTION FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR MEDICAL HARDSHIP UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS HSN WITH RESPECT TO THE AMOUNT OF THE BILL EXCEEDING THE MEDICAL HARDSHIP CONTRIBUTION. SHG WILL NOT PURSUE COLLECTION FROM A PATIENT INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING AND WILL NOT CHARGE INTEREST IN AN OVERDUE BALANCE OF A LOW INCOME PATIENT.

PART VI, LINE 2
In addition to completing a comprehensive, regional community health needs assessment every three years, Southcoast participates in and leads over 30 community coalitions and actively participates in a number of projects every year that collect and analyze information about the social and health care needs of the residents living in the South Coast Region. These activities include tracking hospital data such as the number of patients reporting homelessness, overdose data, and food insecurity; to working with coalition partners to conduct outreach/surveys and focus groups on a number of topics (aligning with our priorities). We meet regularly to discuss the success of these projects and to make sure that we are having the desired impact within the community.

PART VI, LINE 3
Southcoast shares notifications of insurance eligibility in multiple languages throughout all of our inpatient and outpatient facilities. Information on this topic is also provided and accessible on our website. Southcoast also utilizes multilingual outreach brochures, displayed in our facilities and also distributed at a number of health insurance outreach events and also through regular outreach with our Community Wellness Program. All information is shared in english, spanish, and portuguese.

PART VI, LINE 4
"Geographic Area: The South Coast region is composed of thirteen communities located in the Southeastern portion of Massachusetts. This regional definition coincides with Community Health Network Area 25, Partners for a Healthier Community (Greater Fall River), and Community Health Network Area 26, Greater New Bedford Allies for Health and Wellness (Greater New Bedford). Fall River and New Bedford are two of the state's many Gateway Cities, which are defined as midsize urban centers that anchor regional economies. These cities are primarily former industrial centers that were the traditional gateways for immigrants. As has been the case across most of the state's Gateway Cities, Fall River, New Bedford, and many suburban areas in the South Coast region for that matter, have not experienced the benefits from the Boston metro area's knowledge economy, with many of the region's service-related jobs requiring relatively low levels of formal training or education and paying comparatively low wages. Accordingly, Fall River and New Bedford, and some of the region's suburban communities, fall below their regional counterparts and state averages on most socioeconomic metrics. Demography: The South Coast's population was 357,212 in 2020, which represents 5.1% of the state's total population. Fall River and New Bedford account for 54.6% of the region's total. The region's population increased by 4.9% from 2010 to 2020 and by 16.1% since 1970, both of which lag behind the statewide population growth rates for these periods (7.4% and 23.6% respectively). Population growth and residential development over the past five decades have been uneven within the region, with much of the growth from 1970 to 2010 driven by population increases in the region's suburbs. The population in the cities of Fall River and New Bedford declined by 14,746 residents from 1970 to 2010, while the region's suburban towns grew by 47,730 residents over this period. However, this trend has reversed in the last decade, with the region's cities experiencing a population increase of 11,150 residents from 2010 to 2020, compared with an increase of just 5,487 residents in the suburbs. Perhaps the most significant demographic trend in the region is its changing racial makeup. This is particularly true in the city of New Bedford, where nearly a quarter of New Bedford residents (24.3%) identify as Hispanic, almost double the statewide percentage (12.6%). In addition, the student populations in Fall River and New Bedford are much more diverse than the population as a whole. Only 46.2% of students in the Fall River Public Schools identify as White (compared to 73.4% of all residents) and only 37.5% of students in the New Bedford students identify as White (compared to 60.8% in the city as a whole. The higher share of minorities in the school system compared to the community is, in part, a product of the national trend of minority births exceeding white births. As this trend continues, the student population in the region will only grow more diverse. The South Coast has long been an attractive place to settle for immigrants, and as Gateway Cities, Fall River and New Bedford have been traditional destinations for new arrivals to America since the late 18th century. More than twenty-one percent (21.3%) of Fall River residents and nineteen percent (19.0%) of New Bedford residents were born outside the U.S. While Portuguese immigrants comprised the majority of the region's foreign-born residents in the last half of the 20th century, emigration from Europe to the U.S. has slowed, and now immigrants from Latin America, South America, Africa, and Asia account for increasing shares of the populations in the region. There are health care implications inherent in being a hub for immigrants, including language barriers, lack of insurance, low health literacy, and other health access issues. The age cohorts in the South Coast generally reflect their counterparts at the state level. However, the region has a slightly higher share of residents 65 years of age or older, which is more pronounced in the region's towns. Fall River and New Bedford have larger shares of the population under the age of 35 when compared to their metro areas and the South Coast overall. Poverty is a major social determinant of health. Those in poverty often have less opportunity and less access to resources that can assist in improving and maintaining one's health. Resources that contribute to educational attainment, employment, housing status, health care opportunities, and social activities are all less accessible to those living in poverty. Over twelve percent (12.6%) of the region's population and 9.8% of its families are below the poverty level. This compares to 9.8% and 6.6% statewide, respectively. The poverty rates in Fall River and New Bedford are nearly double the state average. Students are often the socioeconomic bellwether of a community. More than sixty-two percent (62.2%) of the region's public-school students are classified as economically disadvantaged by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Much like other poverty measures, the share of public-school students economically disadvantaged in Fall River and New Bedford is about twice the state average. Education: As a region, the South Coast has long struggled with low levels of educational attainment. Massachusetts has the second most highly educated population in the country and one of the most well-educated populations in the world. In contrast, Fall River and New Bedford have some of the lowest levels of educational attainment levels of any cities in Massachusetts. High school graduation rates in Fall River and New Bedford are also well below the state average, while rates for most of the other high schools in the region are above the state average. Not surprisingly, a lower percentage of students in these communities plan to attend college: only 54% of students in Fall River and 51% of students in New Bedford plan to move on to college. In both cities, the majority of the population 25 years of age or older has never attended a college or university. Housing: Housing affordability is a social determinant of health. A lack of affordable housing contributes to housing instability and homelessness, both of which are strong predictors of poor health outcomes. The housing issue in the South Coast is primarily twofold: the focus in the region's cities is primarily on rising rents and the implications on the working poor and people on fixed incomes. This dynamic results in many households paying housing costs that are above their means, which in turn leaves less household income available for health care and other basic needs. During the 2016- 2020 period, 46.5% of renters and 30.5% of homeowners in the South Coast were housing cost burdened. Housing insecurity disproportionately affects low-income households, people of color, and seniors. This trend is evident in Fall River and New Bedford where White households are less likely to be burdened by housing costs than their neighbors. Health & Wellness: The region's health is affected by the physical conditions of the South Coast. A person's physical environment can profoundly affect health outcomes. Environmental factors that affect health outcomes include, but are not limited to, access to healthy food, air quality, water quality, and environmental contamination. In particular, exposure to contaminants through pathways from the air, water, soil, and food can lead to extreme health issues. Unhealthy behaviors lead to poor health outcomes. Tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition contributes to preventable chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. While some chronic conditions are a result of behavior or genetics, social and environmental factors can also elevate the risk of contracting chronic disease: The smoking prevalence in Fall River remains stubbornly high; 23.2% in Fall River and 22.4% in New Bedford, compared to 12.0% in Massachusetts and 16.0% for the country as a whole. In nearly each disease prevalence, the cities of Fall River and New Bedford are higher in comparison to the state and national averages. Most notably, the percentage of Fall River residents who report chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.7%) is nearly double that of the state (4.9%). While substance use disorder continues to rank as one of the top health priorities, stakeholders caution that alcohol abuse is also a significant issue; 69% of HSSP survey respondents rate alcohol use disorder as an ""extremely concerning"" issue. Bristol County, which includes Fall River and New Bedford, has one of the highest percentages of food insecurity among the state's fourteen counties; an estimated 11.0% of residents were food insecure in 2020. In the South Coast, 84,968 residents received SNAP benefits in July 2022, which is an increase of 26.2% (17,631 recipients) from Febru"

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THE SOUTHCOAST HEALTH COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM WORKS WITH OTHER SOUTHCOAST AFFILIATES INCLUDING, SOUTHCOAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SOUTHCOAST VISITING NURSES ASSOCIATION (VNA), SOUTHCOAST PHYSICIANS GROUP (SPG), AND SOUTHCOAST HEALTH NETWORK (SHN), TO COORDINATE ALL COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ADDRESS PRESSING HEALTH ISSUES IN OUR REGION AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. AN INTERNAL COMMITTEE, CALLED THE SOUTHCOAST CARES CHAMPIONS MEETS QUARTERLY TO PLAN AND COORDINATE COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES AS GUIDED BY THE CBAC. THIS TEAM CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM DEPARTMENTS THAT REGULARLY ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH INCLUDING STAFF FROM OUR SOCIAL SERVICES, DIABETES MANAGEMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES, PATIENT ACCESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES, CANCER OUTREACH, SMOKING CESSATION, SOUTHCOAST'S VNA, THE PHYSICIANS GROUP (SPG) AND SOUTHCOAST HEALTH NETWORK (SHN). SENIOR MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM RESTS WITH SOUTHCOAST'S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, WHO ALSO SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE CBAC. THE MANAGER OF COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS, WHO REPORTS TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR SOUTHCOAST HEALTH NETWORK, MANAGES THE DAY-TO-DAY COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS ON COMMUNITY BENEFIT ACTIVITIES TO SOUTHCOAST LEADERSHIP AT VICE PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR, AND MANAGER LEVEL MEETINGS ARE GIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. MESSAGING OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DELIVERED TO ALL EMPLOYEES THROUGH AN INTERNAL E-NEWSLETTER. WE ARE ACTIVELY IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN INTERNAL WEBSITE PAGE TO COMMUNICATE THIS INFORMATION AS WELL.

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YES, AN ANNUAL REPORT IS FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

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SOUTHCOAST INVESTS INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS PRESSING HEALTH ISSUES ACROSS OUR REGION. WE COLLABORATE WITH HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADOPT BEST PRACTICES IN COMMUNITY BENEFITS NEEDS ASSESSMENT, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, WITH THE SHARED GOAL OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES. TARGETED ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: THE BASICS, SOUTHCOAST INITIATIVE. AS PART OF OUR WORK TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT WE ARE THE LEAD IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER OF THE BASICS, SOUTHCOAST IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHSTAR LEARNING CENTER & THE SOUTHCOAST COALITION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. SCIENCE SHOWS THAT 80% OF BRAIN GROWTH HAPPENS BY THE AGE OF THREE, AND THE BASICS ARE FIVE PARENTING AND CAREGIVING PRINCIPLES THAT SUPPORT SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE THREE. THIS PAST YEAR, A LEARNING TRAIL FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WAS CREATED USING ARTS AND CULTURE IN THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD, AN IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATOR WAS HIRED VIA NORTHSTAR TO ASSIST WITH TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON THE BASICS, AND SOUTHCOAST AS A HEALTH SYSTEM CONTINUED TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO EMBED THIS INITIATIVE INTO OUR FACILITIES. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS: THE NEW BEGINNINGS PROGRAM IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAM THAT SUPPORTS PATIENTS PRENATALLY THROUGH POSTPARTUM AND IS OVERSEEN BY A RN. PRENATALLY PATIENTS RECEIVE SUPPORT TO ACCESS SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT SERVICES, MAINTAIN A HEALTHY PREGNANCY, AND PREPARE FOR DELIVERY. POSTPARTUM CARE CONTINUES UP TO 12 MONTHS TO REDUCE THE HIGH RISK FOR RETURN TO SUBSTANCE USE FOR 7-12 MONTHS. DURING FY22, THERE WERE 143 INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM WHICH IS A 36% INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS FISCAL. OUT OF THE 143 REFERRED, 90 INDIVIDUALS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM. OF THOSE WHO ENGAGED IN PROGRAM PRENATALLY 74% DISCHARGED WITH THEIR BABY, WHILE THOSE WHO WERE NOT ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAM AND WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THEIR POSTPARTUM PERIOD - ONLY 53% OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE DISCHARGED WITH THEIR BABY. THERE IS ABOUT A 20% IMPROVEMENT OF DISCHARGE WITH BABY WHEN INDIVIDUALS ARE ENROLLED IN THIS PROGRAM PRENATALLY. WELLNESS & CHRONIC DISEASE: THE COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAM LAUNCHED DURING FY22. THIS PROGRAM IS THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR MOBILE HEALTH SERVICES, PREVIOUSLY DONE BY OUR SOUTHCOAST HEALTH WELLNESS VAN. THIS NEW PROGRAM UTILIZES 2 ELECTRIC SUVS THAT GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH EDUCATION. WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING HEALTH SCREENINGS AND VACCINES AS WE EXPAND THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM HAS A RN ADDICTION NURSE SPECIALIST WITH A FOCUS ON ASSISTING THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS, SUFFERING FROM A SUD AND/OR MENTAL HEALTH NEED. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS SSTAR AND STEPPINGSTONE'S PROJECT FAIHR PROGRAM, THE TEAM GOES OUT TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS PROVIDING STREET OUTREACH AND TRIAGE TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED WORKING TO CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES WHERE THEY ARE AT. WELLNESS & CHRONIC DISEASE: IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAM, WE ARE FOCUSED ON CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND SCREENING OPPORTUNITIES. THE CANCER CENTER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNER AGENCIES PROVIDED VAPING AND SMOKING CESSATION EDUCATION TO AT-RISK YOUTH. IN ADDITION, ADVANCEMENTS IN OUR COLON CANCER SCREENING PROCESS WERE MADE. SOUTHCOAST ALSO WORKS TO ADDRESS THE REGION'S HIGH FOOD INSECURITY NEED. WE PARTNER WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE LOCAL, HEALTHY, LOW-COST PRODUCE AND MEAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH FARMER'S MARKETS AND MOBILE POP-UP MARKETS LOCATED IN THE COMMUNITY. HEALTH ACCESS & EQUITY: CONTINUED UTILIZATION AND EXPANSION OF THE SOUTHCOAST RESOURCE CONNECT PLATFORM. SOUTHCOAST RESOURCE CONNECT IS A RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR FREE OR LOW-COST SERVICES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MAY BE FACING DIFFICULT LIFE CHALLENGES. DURING FY22, THERE WERE 6,243 UNIQUE USERS THAT ACCESSED THE RESOURCE DIRECTORY WITH THE TOP SEARCH BEING FOR FOOD RESOURCES. COLLABORATION: COALITION BUILDING IS AN IMPORTANT ACTIVITY THAT PROMOTES COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION THROUGH THE EFFECTIVE USE OF LIMITED COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND EVERY YEAR SOUTHCOAST STAFF LEAD AND PARTICIPATE IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY COALITIONS ACROSS THE REGION. WE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED ON ABOUT 30 COALITIONS REGION-WIDE TO ADDRESS THE PRESSING SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT IMPACT HEALTH INCLUDING ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SECURITY, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, EMPLOYMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. GRANT SUPPORT: DURING FY22 WE RELEASED THE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY GRANT PROGRAM, IN RESPONSE TO EMERGING NEEDS FOR TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THIS NEW GRANT PROGRAM IS PART OF A LARGER COMMUNITY BENEFITS INITIATIVE, WHICH IMPROVES THE HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS ON THE SOUTH COAST. IN TOTAL $34,405 WAS AWARDED, WITH NINE OVERALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND 6 ORGANIZATIONS WERE AWARDED FUNDING. ADDITIONALLY, SHG PROMOTES THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY IN OTHER WAYS, SUCH AS: (1) THE MAJORITY OF THE SHG BOARD ARE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS WHO RESIDE IN THE SOUTHCOAST REGION. (2) MANY QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY HAVE APPLIED FOR AND BEEN GRANTED MEDICAL STAFF PRIVILEGES IN THE SOUTHCOAST HEALTH SYSTEM, INCLUDING CHARLTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (FALL RIVER, MA), SAINT LUKE'S HOSPITAL (NEW BEDFORD, MA) AND TOBEY HOSPITAL (WAREHAM, MA), AND (3) SURPLUS FUNDS ARE PUT BACK INTO THE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE MEDICAL FACILITIES, PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT, MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO PATIENT CARE, PROVIDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO STAFF, PERFORM NECESSARY RESEARCH, ETC.