The Collaborative Action Network

Purpose 

The purpose of the Centro SOL Collaborative Action Network is to bring together healthcare, public health, and community leaders to share knowledge and identify barriers to health access for our communities. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the network supports approaches that strengthen health systems and improve services for underserved populations. The workgroup was created in 2016. 

Description 

The Centro SOL Collaborative Action Network (Centro SOL CAN) was established in 2016 to bring together leaders in healthcare administration, public health, health services, and community-based organizations who work closely with Latine communities. The purpose of Centro SOL CAN is to create a forum for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared learning to better understand the health-related challenges faced by underserved populations. 

The network convenes partners to review data, identify barriers to care, and discuss factors that influence health outcomes at the local, state, and national levels. Through this process, the group aims to generate insights, highlight promising practices, and share information that can inform efforts to improve access to healthcare and community resources. For example, community members and providers have observed challenges related to Medicaid enrollment for certain populations in Maryland. Pregnant women and children in households without Social Security numbers (SSNs) may face delays in enrollment, even when they are otherwise eligible for benefits. In addition, enrollment funds made available under the Affordable Care Act cannot be applied to individuals who are ACA-ineligible, which can further complicate access. These challenges may result in delayed diagnostic testing for newborns, gaps in preventive care, or difficulties in reimbursement for maternity care.  

By fostering communication between providers, administrators, researchers, and community members, Centro SOL CAN supports a collective understanding of the complex issues affecting Latine communities and contributes to developing strategies that strengthen health systems and services. 

Schedule

Centro SOL CAN hosts monthly meetings with a mix of internal and partner meetings.

Centro SOL aboga por la inclusión a nivel local y estatal; trabajando intensamente con las autoridades para desarrollar políticas que faciliten el acceso de la Comunidad de Latinxs al sistema de salud.

Aim 1. To examine and help resolve challenges in the Maryland Health Connection system that affect Medicaid enrollment or re-enrollment of eligible children whose parents do not have social security numbers.

Aim 2. To identify barriers to enrollment in emergency Medicaid for ACA-ineligible pregnant women without social security numbers and work with partners to share possible solutions.

Aim 3. To explore opportunities to expand access to health coverage for ACA-ineligible adults and/or leverage Maryland’s all-payer model to support community wellness programs for Latinos living in Maryland.

Aim 4. To better understand the impact of policies affecting mixed-status families and share information on how these policies shape access to health and social benefits.