Online self-referral form for community assistance now available

Pettis County residents who are facing challenges related to food, transportation, home repairs, utilities assistance and more can now seek help through a new online self-referral form available as part of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) program administered by Bothwell Regional Health Center.

ToRCH is a rural health program sponsored by the Missouri HealthNet Division, which manages the Missouri Medicaid program, and is designed to improve the overall well-being of rural Missourians by connecting them with critical resources and support services. By completing a simple self-referral form on the Bothwell website, people can request assistance for themselves from a variety of community agencies.

Allison Brosch, Dean of Health Sciences at State Fair Community College and chair of the ToRCH Be Well board, said the self-referral form makes it easier for individuals to reach out, especially when they may not know where to begin or what services organizations offer.

“There are so many great community-based organizations in Sedalia that provide valuable and needed social services for individuals and families in Pettis County who are approved for Medicaid,” she said. “This online form is a one-stop place to request assistance from many of these organizations.”

The secure form has been provided by Unite Us, the nation’s leading software organization that enables collaboration across sectors to improve the health and well-being of communities. The Missouri HealthNet Division partnered with Unite Us to establish a new standard of care that identifies and predicts social care needs, help connect people to services and leverage meaningful outcomes data for ToRCH partners.

The form and information about the program can be found at brhc.org/torch. Eligible ToRCH participants can expect to hear from an organization that can help within one week.