Care Ring Inc

A Guided Journey Program (Maternal Health)Launched in 2021, the Organizations A Guided Journey (AGJ), is a maternal-child health initiative that employs residents living in six priority health zip codes to serve as Community Health Workers. These state-certified individuals work in their own communities to educate and support pregnant and new moms, providing information, guidance and connection to needed resources. AGJ is a complement to NFP and for the year ended June 30, 2024, served 493 families who may have not qualified for or needed the intensive, long-term support provided through NFP. AGJ seeks to intentionally address social determinants of health needs for families, such as access to timely care, food assistance, transportation, childcare and housing. Through this long-term case management program, families are empowered and provided with education and support to promote healthy lifestyles. The program is supported with an abundance of community partnerships. In 2024, AGJ was expanded through the receipt of a federal Healthy Start Enhanced Grant from the US Department of Health & Human Services. This expansion seeks to reduce the well-documented racial and ethnic differences in the rates of infant death and adverse maternal health outcomes in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. Care Ring was the only organization of the 10 nationally awarded that identifies as a standalone non-profit, with others being housed within government funded public health institutions. In 2024, 91% of women completed post-partum visits within 6 weeks of delivery, having established a medical home. Maturing the model, AGJ also began measuring early childhood outcomes in 2024. Through strong literacy education, 66% of AGJ families read to their child at least 3 days a week, compared to the national average of 55%.

Clinic Program The Clinic is a primary care medical home for the uninsured and underserved, serving 1,674 patients for the year ended June 30, 2024. The clinic has a special focus on supporting patients to successfully manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, reducing disparities in health outcomes and preventing unnecessary utilization of the emergency room and inpatient hospital stays. In 2024, Care Ring was awarded a Gold Standard from the National Association of Free Clinics, a measure of the Clinics high standard of care and quality outcomes. In the last fiscal year, 75% of patients with diabetes demonstrated improved control and a hemoglobin A1c of less than 9%. Additionally, 69% of patients with hypertension had controlled blood pressure. Care Rings Clinic ensures its patients have access to recommended preventive screenings to address disparities in early detection and cancer mortality. As an example, in the last fiscal year, 80% of Care Ring patients were up to date on cervical cancer screening. Lastly, in addition to physical health care, patients are screened for social determinants of health needs using a state-supported, standardized assessment tool. This service ensures holistic care is provided, addressing issues such as food insecurity, housing instability and transportation - all barriers to accessing timely care.