This is particularly relevant for integrated health care and human services interventions, as the health-related social needs that these interventions seek to address are often rooted in a lack of financial means. 17 Treatment effects estimated by such a study show the benefit (if any) of the intervention, above and beyond the cash value of the resources provided. In a cash-benchmarking study, one group receives an intervention and another group receives the monetary value of the intervention as a cash transfer. An alternative is cash benchmarking, which comes from the field of developmental economics. When control groups are used at all in health care and human services integration studies, 3, 13, 15 the typical approach uses a usual-care design that compares the new program to current practice (which may be no specific intervention). We discuss important considerations for navigating closer to the promise, and away from the pitfalls, of integrating health care and human services. In this article we propose cash benchmarking 17, 18 as an appropriate study design for evaluations of interventions that integrate health care and human services. In particular, it is important to use strong study designs that can validly estimate what would have happened in the absence of the program and to avoid designs such as pre-post assessments that are subject to regression to the mean and other sources of bias. 10, 11 Although there are encouraging early results from such integration, 12 – 15 rigorous evaluation of these programs is critical. Drivers of health and health care expenditures are increasingly recognized to lie both within and outside the health care system, and integrating human services that address health-related social needs into health care may be a key mechanism to improve health. 1 – 11 Health-related social needs include food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation. Health-related social needs are strongly associated with poor health outcomes, greater use of health care, and higher health care spending. Ultimately, cash benchmarking can help stakeholders navigate closer to the promise, and away from the pitfalls, of health care and human services integration. This is important because while integrating human services into health care offers potential benefits, it also comes with potential downsides-including the medicalization of social needs deemphasis of upstream societal causes of health-related social needs, such as tax policy and labor conditions and opportunity costs within the health care system, as resources are shifted to delivering social care. In this article we propose an innovative methodological approach (borrowed from developmental economics) called cash benchmarking, which can help determine when health care and human services integration is most useful. Integrating human services that address health-related social needs into health care may address these issues. Our employee benefits are among the best in the human services industry.Health-related social needs, which include food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of transportation, are strongly associated with poor health outcomes, more health care use, and higher health care spending. Whether or not you’re experienced in working with people with disabilities, we’ll provide the training and expertise you need to help you succeed in delivering the highest quality services, with an emphasis on the health and safety of and respect for those you will serve. To learn more about job openings at Benchmark or to apply visit Why Work for Us? We offer full-time and part-time positions with flexible hours, including weekends and overnights. At Benchmark, we’re looking for people with strength and heart to serve as Direct Support Professionals. It takes knowing when to help, and when to encourage others to help themselves. Our Opportunitiesīenchmark believes that being a caregiver requires balance. It is our belief in human potential that drives us each and every day to help create a world where everyone is given a chance to pursue happiness and live a full and active life. With roots dating back to 1960, Benchmark has grown from a handful of employees to 3,000 employees who serve more than 10,000 individuals across the United States. Through a variety of programs, our employees help individuals live more independently at home, succeed at work, and enjoy fulfilling days in the community. That’s why we are guided by our mission: To help children and adults with disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community, and function at their maximum potential. At Benchmark Human Services, we believe that every person should have the opportunity to thrive.
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