A National Imperative: Joining Forces to Strengthen Human Services in America.

Among the key findings and conclusions of the report is the critical role and value that human services CBOs play in communities across the nation—improving health outcomes and reducing health care costs;ensuring children are safe and live in supporting neighborhoods, can succeed in school and have strong and economically secure families; helping older adults maintain a high quality of life; equipping people with disabilities so they can live their lives fully; building quality affordable housing; and providing crucial mental health and substance abuse services, particularly in the face of the current opioid epidemic. The report identifies five “north star” initiatives designed to improve population health and well-being,increase economic productivity, and lower social costs over time with and through the success of CBOs. When fully developed and implemented, these initiatives have the ability to set the sector on a path to unlocking its potential. (Author abstract modified)