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Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness has been selected as a Top 100 Finalist in the 24th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The organization was recognized for its evidence-based care coordination model, which serves youth under the custody of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
The recognition is based on improvements in access, continuity, and outcomes for youth involved with DCFS. These gains are supported by integrated primary care and behavioral health services.
Aunt Martha’s Concierge Navigation Model assigns each DCFS-involved youth a dedicated care navigator. This navigator coordinates medical, behavioral health, and community services. According to Aunt Martha’s, "This approach builds trust, reduces fragmentation, and strengthens outcomes. It aligns with Aunt Martha’s commitment to operational clarity and clinical responsiveness across integrated services."
In 2024, the organization reported serving 762 youth through this model, resulting in nearly 2,900 coordinated care encounters. The program surpassed state and national benchmarks in several measures.
Additionally, Aunt Martha’s achieved the highest Medicaid performance score (4.13) across Meridian’s plans, including YouthCare. The organization also became the first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the United States to fully integrate primary care and behavioral health.
In terms of cost efficiency, Aunt Martha’s ranked third among Illinois FQHCs for overall value in 2024. Its average cost per patient was $926.73—40% lower than the national average and 22% below the Illinois average for FQHCs.
As a finalist, Aunt Martha’s is eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which will be determined by public vote.
Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness is a nonprofit FQHC that serves communities throughout Chicagoland and Central Illinois by integrating primary care, behavioral health, reproductive health, and youth services.
