About

For nearly 30 years, the California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) has served as a trusted partner to the state’s 17 public health care systems, helping them strengthen their organizations and improve care for the millions of patients who rely on the safety net.  

Since our founding, SNI has focused on building our member systems’ capabilities, shaping the policies and programs that drive improvement, and creating a community where leaders can exchange ideas, support one another, and advance shared priorities.

Our mission 

The California Health Care Safety Net Institute partners with California’s public health care systems to optimize and transform the ecosystem of care, providing high-quality, patient-led, and equitable care for all. 

Our vision 

To be leaders in the effort to ensure that all Californians, especially those in diverse and historically underrepresented communities, enjoy optimal health. 

Our commitment to equity

SNI is committed to advancing equity by helping California’s public health care systems address barriers that stand in the way of better health for their patients and communities.

How SNI works 

SNI does more than inform public health care systems’ improvement efforts; we help move them forward. We turn state policy and system priorities into practical action that leads to better care for patients.  

We also work closely with our advocacy partner, the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH). CAPH is the trade association representing the same 17 public health care systems SNI serves. Drawing on SNI’s expertise in quality improvement and implementation, CAPH educates state and federal policymakers and advances the interests of our shared member systems.

SNI’s work is defined by several key strengths:

Built for California’s safety net

We understand the regulatory, funding, policy, and operational realities facing public health care systems, and help them navigate that complexity in ways that benefit patients. 

Deep measurement expertise

We shape statewide policy and programs and apply reporting, analytics, and measurement expertise to help systems meet evolving requirements and improve care. 

Grounded in implementation

We work alongside systems to translate policy and strategy into measurable results for patients.

Designed to spread what works

We create a community where public health care leaders can learn from one another and share practical solutions to help effective approaches spread more quickly and consistently across California.

Aligning partners to strengthen care

We help align priorities and foster collaboration across health care systems, the state, community-based organizations, county agencies, and health plans to strengthen collective impact. 

Our equity proclamation

The California Health Care Safety Net Institute (SNI) and our partner organization, the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH), are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive culture. We commit to this practice within our organizations and within our communities.  

Our mission is rooted in the belief that achieving equity is accomplished by addressing systemic inequities and treating every Californian justly. We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance this mission. We recognize the historical footprint of oppression that has led to structural racism, discriminatory barriers, racist policies, and unjust practices and outcomes that disproportionately and negatively impact communities of color. We are dedicated to advancing equitable distribution of opportunities and resources needed to improve health outcomes for the individuals and communities served by our members, California’s public health care systems. 

Our actions 

We take our role and responsibility in shaping the world and driving equitable health care delivery seriously. As an influencer and voice of California’s public hospital systems, SNI/CAPH will:    

  • Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into our mission and daily work.   
  • Prioritize advancing equity and countering structural racism in the development of policies, practices, and programs to strengthen and improve the health care safety net.    

Our vision 

Our vision is to be a leader and thought partner in the creation of more equitable health outcomes. We are aware of the oppressive and inherited systems within health care, but truly believe that through our voice and influence in health policy, advocacy, and program development, we can increase access to patient-centered, high quality and equitable health care and work towards addressing patients’ social needs to improve the health status of our communities.