Grant funds
medical respite program to improve healthcare and housing stability
for Detroit's homeless
population.
DETROIT, May 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Meridian in Michigan, a leading managed care organization
in the state of Michigan and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) and
the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene
Corporation, announced today a $1.1
million grant to the Neighborhood Service Organization
(NSO), an integrated health and human service agency based in
Detroit. The grant will support
NSO's Medical Respite program, serving to increase access to health
and recuperative care for individuals experiencing
homelessness.
"Meridian and the Centene Foundation are proud to partner with
NSO to improve health disparities for individuals experiencing
homelessness," said Kelly McDonald,
Meridian's senior director of population health and clinical
operations. "The grants will provide individuals with a safe,
stable and supportive environment to recover from illness and
injury. By focusing on proactive coordinated care, this partnership
will provide a tangible solution that can be expanded to address
health disparities in a range of health conditions and
outcomes."
The NSO program operates from the Detroit Healthy Housing
Center, and offers comprehensive healthcare, social support and job
training to those experiencing homelessness who are too frail or
ill to recuperate from a physical illness or injury in an unhoused
environment but do not require hospitalization. The program expects
to serve 165 individuals annually, with an anticipated average
length of stay of 30 days, to provide services and support to
clients on their path to stable housing. This high-impact approach
to engaging people experiencing homelessness can produce healthcare
savings through stable housing and by reducing avoidable hospital
visits.
"NSO believes that healthcare is a fundamental human right, and
our partnership with Meridian and the Centene Foundation is a
testament to our commitment to ensuring that every individual,
regardless of their housing situation, has access to the care they
need to lead healthier and more dignified lives," said President
and CEO of NSO, Linda Little.
Although medical respite programs are expanding nationwide, with
more than 75 programs in 30 states, the demand for beds in
Detroit for those facing housing
instability meaningfully exceeds the 45 beds available. With an
estimated 1,280 homeless on any given night in the city, according
to point-in-time data collected by the Home Action Network of
Detroit, the shortage of beds
highlights a significant gap in meeting the needs of those without
shelter.
Since opening in 2023, NSO's Medical Respite program is showing
promising results in decreasing inpatient admissions, reducing
emergency department utilization and decreasing healthcare
spending. Further, the program is improving access to preventive
healthcare to help tackle some of the root causes of homelessness,
such as mental illness and substance abuse. This initiative also
aims to connect individuals to permanent housing, social services,
job training and other community resources.
"The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the unmet needs of
homeless individuals who require recuperative care. They deserve a
safe place to recover and NSO's Medical Respite program offers just
that. NSO is providing a lifesaving service for our most vulnerable
Detroiters," said Homelessness Solutions Director, City of Detroit's Housing & Revitalization
Department, Terra Linzer.
By investing in the Medical Respite program, Meridian and the
Centene Foundation further their commitment to improving healthcare
access for people experiencing homelessness, ensuring a healthier
and more secure future for the Detroit community.
About Meridian
Meridian in Michigan provides
government-sponsored managed care services to families, children,
seniors, and individuals with complex medical needs primarily
through Medicaid (Meridian), Medicare Advantage and Medicare
Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare), Medicare-Medicaid Plans
(MeridianComplete), and the Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter
from Meridian). Meridian is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene
Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping
people live healthier lives. For more information about Meridian,
please visit mimeridian.com.
About the Centene Foundation
The Centene
Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on
investing in economically challenged communities, is the
philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation
("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and
initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's
purpose-driven culture and enhances the work Centene
is doing to remove the barriers to wellness
underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation
is committed to addressing social determinants of health and
improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus:
healthcare access, social services, and education. To learn more,
visit the Centene Foundation's
website.
About Neighborhood Service
Organization
Neighborhood Service Organization
(NSO), a Detroit-based integrated health and human
service agency, delivers community-based services and holistic
programs for vulnerable populations. The agency provides behavioral
health and primary care services, in addition to wraparound
services that address barriers to housing, health and
well-being. NSO serves 12,000 people annually in
Wayne and Oakland counties. Learn more by
visiting www.NSO-MI.org. For more information and to
discuss partnership opportunities with NSO
Contact
Corporateaffairs@nso-mi.org.
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SOURCE Meridian of Michigan