United Way/211 Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network Partner on Developing Interoperable Systems of Care

The United Way of Wisconsin (UWWI) and the Wisconsin Statewide Health Information Network (WISHIN) are proud to announce a partnership aimed at promoting better health and well-being for all Wisconsin residents through the United Way of Wisconsin’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) project.

WIRE is a collaboration among United Way, WISHIN, and other partners working to enable statewide coordination of care and services to support whole-person care for those whose healthcare outcomes can be maximized with the help of social services.

The WIRE Project will leverage WISHIN’s network of nearly 2,200 sites of care and comprehensive master patient index and 211 WI’s vetted community resource directory/data insights to help ensure that clinical and social-needs history is readily available to inform coordination among service providers. In a joint statement of principles adopted by the United Way of Wisconsin and WISHIN (see attached), the partners assert that the exchange of healthcare data, with the appropriate permissions and controls, will lead to better whole-person care with a goal of lowering costs and improving outcomes across the health and social-service ecosystem.

“We know that unmet social needs for housing, food, or transportation, can negatively impact health outcomes. WISHIN’s focus on interoperability of clinical data, combined with United Way’s leadership in the social-service realm, creates a unique and powerful opportunity to effect meaningful, positive change,” said Joe Kachelski, CEO of WISHIN.

“As we embark on the journey to develop the Wisconsin Information and Referral Exchange to help communities increase local partnerships it is crucial that we recognize the immense value of investing in existing infrastructure like 211 and WISHIN. By leveraging these trusted platforms, we are building upon established networks, harnessing years of expertise, and maximizing efficiency. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of our communities and ensuring that every individual can access the support they need when they need it most. By building upon our strengths, we are equipping 211 and local partners with the necessary tools and resources to become a powerful hub of information and support for individuals and families across Wisconsin.“ said United Way of Wisconsin President and CEO, Charlene Mouille.