Caregiver respite program honored with state-wide award

Ohio Association of Health Plans recognizes CareSource Child & Family Health Collaborative Behavioral Health Respite Care Program with a Pinnacle Award.

(DAYTON, OH – Sept. 21, 2022) – CareSource, a nationally recognized nonprofit health plan, received the Pinnacle Award from the Ohio Association of Health Plans (OAHP) for the CareSource Child & Family Health Collaborative Behavioral Health Respite Care Program. The OAHP Pinnacle Award recognizes health plans for achievements in addressing the challenges of a shifting health care environment through achievements in health care programs.

“We’re proud of the work that all our health plans do to help their members live healthier and fuller lives,” said Kelly O’Reilly, OAHP president and chief executive officer. “We’re honoring CareSource for the truly special contributions they’ve made in preventing behavioral health crises.”

CareSource and The Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio partnered to develop a program offering therapeutic relief. The goal of the program is to prevent the need for acute behavioral health services, hospitalization and out-of-home placements. Within six months of receiving respite care, the program has decreased acute services usage by 88%.

“The initial data suggests the simple act of connecting families with respite care improves not only the health of the member, but also the health of the relationship between the caregivers and members,” said Steve Ringel, president of CareSource Ohio. “We are honored to receive this award and appreciate how OAHP is choosing to highlight the effectiveness of respite care.”

The CareSource Child & Family Health Collaborative Behavioral Health Respite Care Program continues to help families and caregivers avoid acute care by providing space, time and resources to heal from within.