Why Medicaid MCOs Should Build Two-Way Partnerships with Kinship Navigator Programs

Sellers Dorsey argues that healthcare providers—including Medicaid managed care plans—should move beyond one-time referrals to kinship navigator programs and establish ongoing, two-way coordination with child welfare systems. The piece explains that kinship caregivers (relatives raising children during family crises) face complex needs around coverage verification, behavioral health access, and legal guardianship that require continuous collaboration, not just handoffs. For MCOs, this means building formal partnerships with navigator programs to improve care coordination, address social determinants, and stabilize placements for vulnerable Medicaid-enrolled children.

Behavioral Health · Managed Care · Maternal

This is outside commentary from Sellers Dorsey, not part of Medicaid Monitor's independently scored news coverage.

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