As Illinois continues to advance Medicaid transformation, stronger partnerships between managed care organizations (MCOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) are essential to improving how health-related social needs are addressed across our state.

To help strengthen these connections, on May 19, 2026, Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) convened leaders from across sectors for “Creating Connection: A Community-Based Organization and Managed Care Organization Partner Convening.” Moving strategically through the day from shared-learning presentations to meaningful collaboration, every component of the event was intentionally designed to unify understanding, build relationships, and guide practical action.

IPHI is excited to share the resulting Summary Report & Recommendations, which captures the planning process, convening design, key themes, participant insights, and recommendations that emerged before, during, and after the convening. The central takeaway is simple: the insights, expertise, and community-driven solutions needed to address health-related social needs already exist. The opportunity that IPHI is uniquely centered to address is building the structures that connect organizations, elevate community voices, and turn that collective power into action.

At IPHI, we're committed to continuing this work and creating opportunities for cross-sector collaboration that strengthen communities across Illinois. We invite you to read the full Summary Report and Recommendations.

IPHI would like to give a special thank you to The Doula Part for their invaluable partnership in developing this report and helping bring these findings together.