ICARE Program (Integrated Community Assessment Referral and Evaluation)

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Rather than medical emergencies, EMS calls are often related to lack of quality of care and/or social services needs. In response the Baltimore County Fire Department created an Office of Integrated Health and initiated the ICARE (Integrated, Community, Assessment, Referral and Evaluation) Program to integrate existing programs and to create new resources to assist vulnerable populations to thrive in the community. Baltimore County agencies and other community partners were identified to explore interagency collaboration, resource sharing, knowledge, and linkage to programs and activities. Over 200 referrals were made in the first year, with linkage to resources. Initial data indicates a reduction of EMS calls to high utilizers and an increase in collaboration and care coordination with other agencies. ICARE has proven to be a successful mechanism for first responders to identify and refer at-risk and vulnerable people to existing resources.