Horizon Health Services is first agency in NYS to Implement Social Networking Platform for Recovery
Peer Supported Health Communities Aide Personal Health and Recovery Goals
Horizon Health Services, a not-for-profit corporation providing services to assist individuals with mental health and chemical dependency issues, is launching a platform to provide peer-supported resources for its family, substance abuse, residential rehab, mental health and veterans programs. OneHealth® Solutions, Inc., is the leading behavior change platform company who looks at improving health outcomes and reducing the cost of care for patients, providers, payers and employers.
Funded through a three year grant awarded by The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation to support the development of an online community and services focused on the mental health and substance abuse needs of young adults in the community aged 18-26, Horizon Health Services is the first agency in New York to implement a social networking platform to provide expanded resources and support for clients and family members in recovery.
“We are excited to implement OneHealth for the ongoing benefit of our community’s young adults and their family members who will now have easy access to a community support network to help guide the path to their recovery,” stated Anne D. Constantino, president and CEO of Horizon Health Services. “We believe social networking will help engage program participants and create positive relationships that will encourage healthy behavior.”
Horizon clients can access OneHealth’s private, HIPAA-compliant online and mobile platform to interact 24/7 with members in mental health and recovery-based health communities. Members can also participate in OneHealth’s complete Social Solutioning® platform, which provides support and communities for a wide range of chronic behavioral and medical conditions including depression, stress reduction, obesity, and caregiver/family support.
Bruce Springer, CEO of OneHealth, commented, “We are pleased that Horizon Health recognizes the power of social media in providing care for their patients, and the important role that peer support can play in contributing to positive behavior change.”
The program includes access to peer health coaches, community managers, expert discussions, and live online meetings and group chats where members can learn and interact with guest experts to drive positive behavior change.
About Horizon Health Services
Horizon Health Services is the largest and most comprehensive provider of fully integrated mental health and chemical dependency treatment and recovery services, with 20 outpatient programs serving Erie, Niagara and Genesee counties. In addition Horizon Village, a 50-bed inpatient facility operates in Niagara County, where a Veterans Treatment Facility is under construction. Horizon’s Primary Care and Wellness Center which is adjacent to Horizon Village offers medical, psychiatric and recreational services to all campus residents. 2012 marks the fifth consecutive year Horizon has been named one of the 40 Best Companies to Work for in New York, and Business First Best Place to Work. For more information about Horizon, visit www.horizon-health.org.
About OneHealth Solutions, Inc.
OneHealth is the leading behavior change platform for the healthcare industry via a technology- enabled services model that lowers the costs of care management and provides greater outcomes for chronic patient populations. Our web and mobile-based Social Solutioning® program influences positive behavior to improve health and deliver measurable value through a patented combination of social-networking technology, evidence-based clinical principles and engaging game mechanics. For additional information visit www.onehealth.com.
Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.