Stephen Papas, President and CEO of United Way of Rockland County, has built his career around strengthening community partnerships. Today, he plays multiple roles in shaping regional health: as a board member of the Hudson Valley Care Coalition (HVCC), a member of the governance committee for the Hudson Valley Social Care Network (SCN), and through his organization’s role as an SCN partner.
From Community Leadership to Regional Collaboration
Before joining United Way in 2021, Papas led development for Meals on Wheels of Rockland, where he managed programs tied to New York’s Medicaid reform efforts. That experience gave him unique insight into the role community-based organizations (CBOs) can play in connecting people to services. When HVCC and Coordinated Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) merged to strengthen their reach to work towards building a community-based eco-system of healthcare, Papas was one of the early voices advocating for a collaborative model that could support a Social Care Network across the Hudson Valley.
Today, United Way of Rockland is both a trusted local partner and an active participant in the SCN. With deep roots across the county, including partnerships with 44 local food pantries, United Way helps bring Medicaid-supported social care services into neighborhoods where people live, gather, and seek help.
Why the SCN Matters
Papas emphasizes that no single service is enough for families facing challenges. A household may need food, but also help with rent, transportation, or employment support. “The idea that one family can be fixed with one thing is a fallacy,” he says. “The SCN’s whole-person approach ensures that people aren’t just patched up but truly supported across the spectrum of their needs.”
For Medicaid members, the value is clear: access to food, housing support, and transportation without the burden of navigating multiple agencies. As Papas explains, “Getting services is a full-time job on top of a full-time job. If we can reduce that burden, all the better.”
Building Trust Through Partnership
Unlike traditional direct-service organizations, United Way’s model is rooted in trust and collaboration. Local pantries and nonprofits rely on United Way to conduct screenings for health-related social needs and connect residents to SCN services. “They know how to provide food—that’s their core strength. Screenings and navigation aren’t typically part of their work, so they trust United Way to step in and provide that support,” Papas explains.
As both a governing member and partner organization within the SCN, United Way of Rockland is uniquely positioned to bridge statewide Medicaid initiatives with on-the-ground community care.
Looking Ahead
Papas acknowledges that building a network of this scale takes time, but he sees HVCC’s SCN taking the right steps: listening to partners, embedding CBOs into the structure, and committing to long-term collaboration.
For Rockland County families, that means more opportunities to access help with food, housing support, and transportation. And for providers, it means joining a network designed not only to meet immediate needs, but also to strengthen the health and resilience of entire communities.
