Bringing Community-Based Organizations Together
Highlights from the PA Navigate CBO Convening
When community-based organizations, health systems, and statewide partners come together with a shared purpose, something powerful happens. At this year’s CAAP Conference, that power was on full display during the PA Navigate CBO Convening. It was an afternoon dedicated to connection, collaboration, and strengthening the network that supports Pennsylvanians every day.
Why We Gathered
On October 27th, community-based organizations, health plans, hospitals, and project stakeholders convened at the Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster (and online) to reflect on the past year of PA Navigate implementation and chart the course forward.
The convening focused on four core aims:
Revisit the history of PA Navigate and how it anchors statewide referral and community-engagement efforts.
Celebrate early successes and the CBOs whose work continues to expand the project’s reach.
Introduce new tools and technology, including Findhelp’s KIIP case management tool, and leveraging PA Navigate to list local volunteer opportunities.
Explore ways to strengthen partnerships between healthcare and community organizations.
The room reflected the diversity of Pennsylvania’s ecosystem: nonprofits, health plans, hospital partners, Findhelp leadership, and health information exchanges, each committed to building a more connected, more efficient system of support.
What We Learned Together
Powerful Voices, Practical Lessons
The convening featured a series of engaging presentations:
Tanoa Fagan, PA State Director for Findhelp, offered a look back at the origins of PA Navigate and shared strategies for using the platform to showcase volunteer opportunities, an essential support for individuals maintaining benefit eligibility, due to expanded work requirements.
Karen Stone (Data Quality Administrator) and Kat Royer (Director of Community Engagement, CAAP) highlighted CAAP’s community-engagement strategy, Year 1 milestones, and the growing network of organizations now accepting electronic referrals.
Noah Harlan, VP of Community Solutions at Findhelp, demonstrated KIIP, a free case-management software tool designed to make program coordination simpler and more efficient for CBO staff and the clients they serve.
A panel moderated by Beck Moore (CEO, CAAP) and Marianne Smith (Product Manager, Central PA Connect HIE) brought the work to life with stories from the field. Panelists Eric Saunders (New Hope Ministries), Erin Muldowney (Schuylkill Community Action), Dani Perra (Jefferson Health), and Kat Ketter (Jefferson Health Plans) shared real-world examples of how PA Navigate has helped streamline referrals, strengthen coordination, and build deeper relationships with healthcare partners.
Key Takeaways From the Convening
Participants walked away with clear, actionable insights:
Streamlining workflows matters. Screeners, electronic referrals, and shared tools are helping agencies save time and improve service delivery.
Partnership is central. From managed care organizations to local nonprofits, cross-sector collaboration is strengthening program outcomes.
Connecting individuals with volunteer opportunities remains a priority, even as organizations acknowledge the challenge of limited staffing capacity to manage volunteers.
CBO interest in KIIP is high. Many highlighted it as a tool they want to explore further for everyday case-management needs.
What Participants Had to Say
Survey feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
Overall event rating: 4.7/5
100% agreed that the convening was engaging, relevant, and created meaningful space for dialogue.
CBOs highlighted several shared priorities, including growing interest in using KIIP as a case-management tool and a desire for more intentional networking opportunities at future gatherings. Participants also emphasized the need for stronger volunteer engagement strategies and practical tips for streamlining PA Navigate referrals and workflows, underscoring a collective commitment to improving coordination and community impact.
Looking Ahead
Participants offered thoughtful ideas for future convenings:
Expanding networking time for CBOs to connect and share what’s working
Developing tracks for both beginners and advanced users, including hands-on tech demonstrations
Creating a best-practice toolkit for CBOs to engage and build relationships with managed care organizations
The message was clear: Our partners want more opportunities to collaborate, learn, and strengthen the statewide network. CAAP is committed to supporting that momentum.
A Moment of Gratitude
To every CBO, healthcare partner, volunteer coordinator, frontline practitioner, and system stakeholder who attended…thank you. Your work moves Pennsylvania forward.
Your insights are shaping what PA Navigate becomes next. And your collaboration is showing what’s possible when community and healthcare unite behind a shared mission.
The success of this convening reflects the strength of the network you help build every day.
We look forward to continuing this work together as we expand connections, deepen partnerships, and strengthen the ecosystem that supports communities across Pennsylvania. For more information or questions, please contact panavigate@thecaap.org.
