NE Delta HSA Selected by Massachusetts Institute of Technology as National J-PAL Research Center Health Care Competition Winner

MONROE, La., Aug. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (NE Delta HSA) announced today that it has been selected by the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) North America, a research center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as a winner of its inaugural Health Care Delivery Innovation Competition. The competition identifies innovative programs with the potential to serve as national models and supports the development of large-scale randomized controlled trials to evaluate these programs' impact.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160819/399724

"We want to thank J-PAL for this prestigious award and for the opportunity to work with their renowned research team as we continue to perfect our integrated service model," said Dr. Monteic A. Sizer, Northeast Delta HSA Executive Director. "Empirical test findings around our innovative service delivery model could change the way primary and behavioral healthcare is delivered for vulnerable populations with complex needs in Louisiana and across the country. Being selected for this award is a testament to our Board and staff's commitment to our vision and mission. We look forward to sharing and implementing discoveries with our state's healthcare, business, community, and elected officials."

Northeast Delta HSA has developed an innovative services network that provides integrated behavioral and primary healthcare services. Northeast Delta HSA also supports a range of social services, including housing, inpatient addiction services, employment, prevention and peer support to rural and low-income populations who have behavioral health and developmental disability needs. Additionally, NE Delta HSA works to leverage faith-based supportive services and governmental program offerings like transportation and workforce development throughout Louisiana's rural Delta region. 

"We applaud the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority for their innovative work in providing patients with access to quality behavioral health care, integrated primary care, and social services," said Quentin Palfrey, Executive Director of J-PAL North America. "We share their commitment to improving health care delivery for vulnerable populations. Together, we look forward to developing rigorous evidence of a potential national model for integrated care and ancillary services." 

"Our inaugural Health Care Delivery Innovation Competition was very competitive, attracting applicants from across the nation and across the spectrum of care. We were all deeply impressed by the commitment of the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority to not only deliver quality behavioral health services, but also to improve the holistic well-being of its clients," said Jason Bauman, Manager of J-PAL North America's U.S. Health Care Delivery Initiative. "This is an organization that embraces a challenging mission, creatively leverages surrounding resources and is dedicated to continuous improvement and responsible stewardship by measuring the impact of its work.  We are excited to work together to evaluate their innovative integrated care model and spotlight their path-breaking work." 

"Because Governor Edwards brought Medicaid expansion to Louisiana, thousands and thousands of our citizens now have greater access to the healthcare they need. We also support Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Gee's work to ensure healthy living for citizens throughout Louisiana," said Dr. Sizer. "We are excited to work with J-PAL researchers to develop meaningful data and best practices for improved health outcomes in the Northeast Louisiana and beyond."

NE Delta HSA was one of four nationally-awarded organizations. To see the J-PAL MIT press release, click here.

About Northeast Delta Human Services Authority (Northeast Delta HSA)
Northeast Delta HSA directs the operation of community-based programs to improve the quality of life of people with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. Northeast Delta HSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true human potential.

Three tenets guide our efforts: excellent customer service, greater access to services and competent, quality care. Northeast Delta HSA serves citizens in 12 parishes of northeastern Louisiana: Caldwell, East Carroll, West Carroll, Ouachita, Lincoln, Madison, Franklin, Morehouse, Jackson, Tensas, Richland and Union. For more information, please call 318-362-3270.

J-PAL North America is a regional office of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL). J-PAL was established in 2003 as a research center at MIT's Department of Economics. Since then, it has built a global network of affiliated professors based at over 40 universities and regional offices in Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. J-PAL North America was established with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation and works to improve the effectiveness of social programs in the region through three core activities: research, policy outreach, and capacity building. www.povertyactionlab.org/north-america.

NE Delta HSA Media Contact:
Jill Hirsekorn
Public Information Director
2513 Ferrand Street, Monroe, LA 71201
Phone 318-362-5482
Email
NE Delta HSA Press and Media

SOURCE Northeast Delta Human Services Authority