The Partnership for Refugee Wellness (PRW) project developed a collaborative model for resettling refugees. PRW worked to position itself for a new opportunity to deliver flexible and integrated case management services to refugees in Worcester through the community health centers participating in the UMass Memorial Accountable Care Organization (ACO). The 2016 approval of the MassHealth Section 1115 waiver offered an opportunity for community-based organizations to partner with ACOs to help manage the total costs of care by addressing social determinants of health. Ascentria was able to integrate case management services for refugees through community health centers in Worcester.

Ascentria partnered with the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center and the Family Health Center of Worcester, both of which are participants in the UMass ACO. At the conclusion of this Implementation Grant, Ascentria was strongly positioned to partner with the UMass Memorial ACO, right as the Community Partners program began at the end of 2017.