Grants target behavioral health, maternal and child health, and critical provider shortages
Molina Healthcare of Nevada (“Molina”), in collaboration with The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), today announced $2.8 million in grants as part of its commitment to Nevada. Supporting 29 community-based organizations and providers, these grants aim to improve access to health care and social services targeting health disparities among under-resourced communities in Clark and Washoe Counties.
“Molina is committed to Nevada and understands the importance of collaborating with local providers and community organizations to create meaningful solutions to the recurring challenges that impact health,” said Rob Baughman, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Nevada. “It is our privilege to support Nevada partners who share our commitment to elevating the health care experience and enhancing the health, well-being and livelihood of Nevadans, to strengthen our communities one life at a time.”
Molina’s grants follow over $1.2 million in donations in Nevada in 2022. Funding will expand and sustain impactful programs that enhance access to care, with a focus on behavioral health and corresponding wraparound support services, maternal and child health outcomes, and efforts to improve primary and specialty care as well as social determinants of health for historically marginalized communities.
Primary Care and Specialists
All Nevada counties are experiencing provider shortages. A major component of Molina’s investments will go toward organizations supporting providers, strengthening the network of community health workers, and implementing workforce initiatives and other innovative solutions to address shortages in the state. Molina is also supporting telehealth solutions like Project ECHO® to offer providers specialty care training and case management supports.
Behavioral Health
The patient to mental health provider ratio in Nevada is 420:1, significantly below the national average of 350:1. Molina funds will support the expansion of adult and child behavioral health services across the care continuum ranging from peer supports and medication assisted treatment to crisis de-escalation programs and mental health coaching programs.
In a 2023 state report, Nevada’s middle and high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless at higher rates in 2021 compared to 2017, an 18% and 33% increase respectively. Suicide attempts also increased among high school students by 44.7% during the same time.
“Supporting our children through traumatic experiences and mental health issues early on is critical to their long-term success,” said Lisa Ruggerio, executive director of Children's Advocacy Centers of Nevada. “Receiving this grant from Molina is an immense honor for us. With this significant investment in the well-being of Nevada's most vulnerable children, we can implement more evidence-based, trauma-informed practices and empower service providers to meet national standards. Molina’s grant will be truly life-changing for the children and families we serve.”
Maternal and Child Health
Approximately 16% of expectant mothers in Nevada receive inadequate prenatal care. This is particularly concerning for those with chronic conditions who have a 43% higher chance of pre-term births compared to women without chronic conditions. Molina is investing in initiatives that increase services and programs to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes, including Women’s Health Associates of Southern Nevada. Molina is also collaborating with Birth Collaborative Las Vegas to bolster the doula workforce in Clark County and enhance prenatal, labor, and postpartum care for Black and Brown communities to ensure moms and babies have a healthy start.
About Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Inc. provides government-funded health care to members in Clark and Washoe counties through Medicaid, Nevada Check Up Program, Medicare and Marketplace. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com/NV.
About MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240417898657/en/
Contacts
Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.Com, (562) 980-3849
