PATH Program Expands Coaching, Training, and Collaboration to Strengthen Community Support Systems

Over the past year, the Provider Assistance Training Hub (PATH) Program at the School of Social Work has made significant strides in enhancing care coordination and collaboration across Illinois. By engaging all Care Coordination and Support Organizations (CCSOs) in coaching efforts, PATH is fostering a unified approach to high-fidelity wraparound and intensive care coordination. These partnerships are crucial in ensuring that providers are well-supported in their implementation efforts, ultimately helping families remain intact within their homes and communities.

“PATH is incredibly fortunate to work with a set of providers who are fully engaged and committed to improving the lives of youth and families in the Pathways to Success program,” said Matt Stinson, Associate Director of PATH. “The System of Care Team has done a tremendous job of collaborating with CCSOs to increase fidelity to wraparound and care coordination. Additional efforts to support and to improve training and coaching will continue to occur as the program advances.”

PATH’s Impact on Provider Development and Training

One of the hallmarks of the PATH Program is its commitment to continuous learning and development for providers. This year, PATH has empowered providers to play an active role in shaping their professional development by identifying additional curriculum needs. These needs are then addressed through tailored training and coaching activities, ensuring that providers receive the support they need to succeed.

Launching New IM+CANS Courses and Learning Collaboratives

In response to the revised IM+CANS tool launched in April 2024, PATH has introduced new courses to help users navigate these updates. The changes to the IM+CANS tool are critical for improving assessment and treatment planning, and PATH is ensuring that providers are well-equipped to integrate these revisions into their work.

“Within the past 9 months, PATH has been able to develop an IM+CANS Coaching team that will develop and implement the Learning Collaborative environments for users of the IM+CANS across the state,” Stinson noted. “This team of specialists brings unique experience and a comprehensive perspective to support best practices in utilization of this tool across all Medicaid providers throughout Illinois. We feel this is an opportunity to build collaborative conversations with providers and to gain insights into the successes of agencies statewide.”

Looking ahead, PATH is preparing to launch statewide Learning Collaboratives in Fall 2024. These collaboratives will serve as a platform for providers and programs to discuss and share strategies for deploying best practices in the use of IM+CANS. By bringing together experts and practitioners from across the state, PATH is fostering a collaborative learning environment that will drive improvements in care delivery.

Supporting Medicaid’s Violence Prevention-Community Support Initiative

By end of 2024, PATH is expected to join forces with the Office of Medicaid Innovation, the Metropolitan Peace Initiative (MPI), and national subject matter experts to support Illinois’ violence disruption efforts. This collaboration is part of a broader Medicaid initiative to train and support peer support workers in the delivery of Violence Prevention-Community Support services. The goal is to develop a robust training and coaching model that empowers peer support workers to play a pivotal role in community violence prevention.

This initiative represents a critical step in addressing violence in Illinois communities. By leveraging the expertise of PATH and its partners, this initiative will provide peer support workers with the tools they need to make a meaningful impact on violence disruption efforts

Looking Ahead

As PATH continues to expand its reach and impact, it remains committed to supporting providers, families, and communities across Illinois. Whether it’s through coaching, training, or collaboration, PATH is playing a key role in strengthening care systems and creating safer, healthier communities.

“The PATH team continues to aspire towards effective training and coaching implementation on multiple fronts,” Stinson concluded. “This work could not be done without the motivation and commitment of all PATH members, who consistently contribute to the efforts to support and learn from the providers on the front line who are continuing to have dramatic and positive impacts on the individuals and families that they serve. We continue to consider ourselves so fortunate to do this work collectively.”