Findhelp Summit Aims to Forge the Future of America's Social Safety Net

AUSTIN, TX – January 06, 2026 – Findhelp, a prominent social care technology firm, has opened registration for its sixth annual Connect Social Care Summit, a virtual event poised to gather more than 1,500 leaders from healthcare, government, and community organizations. Scheduled for May 13–14, 2026, the summit arrives at a critical juncture as public and private sectors increasingly recognize that social factors like housing and food security are responsible for up to 80% of health outcomes.

The free, two-day conference will feature over 40 sessions designed to explore the intersection of policy, technology, and cross-sector collaboration. As the social safety net undergoes a profound digital transformation, events like the Connect Summit are becoming crucial forums for shaping its future, moving beyond theoretical discussions to focus on practical implementation and measurable impact.

"The Connect Summit is designed to bring people together across systems that too often operate in silos," said Erine Gray, Founder and CEO of Findhelp, in a statement. "By connecting leaders, sharing real-world lessons, and spotlighting what's working, we can accelerate progress toward a more effective and efficient social safety net."

Beyond Referrals: The Digital Scaffolding of a New Safety Net

At the heart of the summit's agenda is the role of technology in creating a more integrated and responsive social care ecosystem. Findhelp, which operates one of the nation's largest social care referral networks with over 470,000 listed program locations, represents a broader industry shift from simple referral directories to sophisticated, closed-loop systems that track outcomes and manage care coordination.

This evolution is driven by significant technological advancements. A key topic expected to dominate discussions is interoperability—the seamless exchange of data between historically disconnected healthcare and social service systems. The adoption of standards like Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) is seen as essential for providing a holistic view of an individual's needs, reducing the risk of adverse outcomes caused by incomplete information. For healthcare CIOs and technology innovators attending the summit, sessions on data integration will be paramount as they work to build the digital infrastructure required for value-based care models.

Furthermore, the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in social care is moving from concept to reality. Industry experts anticipate discussions on how AI can be used to predict social needs, optimize resource allocation for community-based organizations, and streamline administrative burdens. However, these conversations will be balanced with critical examinations of ethical considerations, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ensuring that technology augments, rather than replaces, the essential human element of social work.

Bridging Silos Between Health and Social Care

The summit's focus on collaboration is particularly timely, aligning with major federal policy shifts. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have made addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) a strategic priority. Recent CMS guidance encourages states to use Medicaid funds for health-related social needs (HRSN) through mechanisms like "in lieu of services" (ILOS), which can cover services like housing support and nutritional assistance.

These policy changes create both an opportunity and a challenge: they provide the framework for integration, but successful implementation requires unprecedented partnership between healthcare payers, hospital systems, government agencies, and non-profit service providers. The Connect Summit serves as a vital platform for these stakeholders to navigate the complexities of these new models. Panels and workshops will likely dissect real-world examples of successful Medicaid managed care programs that have demonstrated a return on investment by addressing members' social needs, leading to reduced emergency room visits and hospital readmissions.

For public health officials and non-profit leaders, the event offers a chance to learn how to forge effective partnerships and secure funding in this new landscape. The emphasis is on creating a cohesive system where a clinical diagnosis can trigger a seamless, trackable referral to a food bank or housing agency, with all parties sharing relevant information to ensure the person's needs are met.

From Policy to Practice: Lessons from the Front Lines

While high-level strategy and technology are central themes, the summit also promises a strong focus on "real-world implementation lessons." This grounding in practical reality is a major draw for the program managers, social workers, and community health workers who are on the front lines of service delivery. Past summits have featured sessions on the critical role of community health workers in building trust and engaging hard-to-reach populations, offering actionable insights that can be immediately applied in the field.

This year's call for speakers, open until January 30, seeks proposals on implementation best practices and rapid-fire talks highlighting measurable impact. This indicates a commitment to showcasing tangible success stories—and the challenges overcome to achieve them. Attendees can expect to hear case studies from organizations that have successfully integrated SDOH screenings into their clinical workflows, built sustainable community partnerships, and used data to demonstrate improved community outcomes.

The value proposition extends to sponsors, who gain direct access to a concentrated audience of decision-makers actively looking for solutions. For organizations offering everything from data analytics platforms to care coordination services, the summit provides a forum to demonstrate their thought leadership and align their brand with the national movement to strengthen the social safety net. This symbiotic relationship between attendees seeking knowledge and sponsors offering solutions fuels the event's momentum and its growing influence within the sector.