RMHS Celebrates the Single Entry Point Program’s One Year Anniversary
RMHS celebrates one year of providing long-term care services through the Single Entry Point program.
It’s been a year since the Single Entry Point (SEP) joined the Rocky Mountain Human Services family, and what a year it has been. The past 12 months has shifted the traditional idea of normalcy and reshaped what need looks like in the community, but through the SEP program, we were able to provide the resources and support that allowed thousands of individuals with long-term care needs to live independently in their own homes. What a privilege it has been.
The SEP program provides long-term services and supports to Medicaid-eligible individuals with a one-stop opportunity. SEP serves the Denver metro area, which includes Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Elbert counties. Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS) began the state contract on July 1, 2020, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to allowing individuals to live independently and remain in their own homes or preferred setting during the pandemic, operating the SEP program during those unprecedented times also helped to broaden our view and allowed us to think more creatively about how we can best support those with long-term care needs.
“Over the past year, we have focused ourselves on relationship building and connecting with those in our networks,” said Amanda Lighthiser, Deputy Program Officer.
Building and fortifying those relationships with people in services, staff, providers and community stakeholders has been one of the main components of the program’s success, as it paved the way for collaboration, new ideas, improved systems and a sense of community for everyone involved.
The Single Entry Point provides case management for the following Home & Community-Based Services waiver populations:
Children with life-limiting illness
Children’s home and community-based services
Elderly, blind and disabled
Community mental health supports
Persons with brain injuries
Persons with spinal cord injuries
“The SEP provides the necessary tools to allow the individuals who we support to live in their homes or preferred setting, which in turn allows them to live as independently as possible,” said Melissa Emery, Associate Director of SEP.
Here are a few of The Single Entry Point’s highlights and accomplishments over the past year:
SEP had the privilege of serving more than 15,000 people and connecting them to the services they need
SEP collectively reached out to more than 10,000 people regarding in-home COVID vaccines
More than 150 new employees joined the RMHS family when we welcomed the SEP program aboard
A centralized intake system for long-term services was created and implemented to help people more easily navigate and access what they needed
Partnerships with stakeholders were strengthened to better serve people in our communities
SEP successfully navigated through complex changes to services due to the COVID pandemic and ensured that all gaps were minimized
Expanded trainings were provided to SEP staff to help solidify their understanding of all waiver programs and create smooth pathways to better serve those whom we support
Providers and community partners were connected through a series of town hall meetings
It’s been our honor to work alongside the talented and dedicated SEP employees over the last 12 months and to support thousands of individuals in need of long-term care. We look forward to continuing this rewarding work for years to come.
To learn more about the SEP program visit www.rmhumanservices.org/sep.
