Covenant Health Network Awarded $186,000 from Mercy C.A.R.E.S.; Community Reinvestment Grant to Support the “Caring for our Care Force” Emotional Wellness Program
(PHOENIX – March 18, 2024) – Covenant Health Network (CHN) has been awarded a Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $186,700.00. The grant will fund “Caring for our Care Force,” which offers evidence-based emotional wellness workshops to staff at nursing homes and assisted living centers. The workshops provide strategies for coping with stress related to caring for others, and adapting to change. The workshops are a partnership between CHN and two faculty members of Louisiana State University’s Department of Psychology, Dr. Matthew Calamia and Dr. Rebecca Brossoit.
“Working in senior care has always been a stressful, although meaningful job. Through Mercy Care’s generosity, we’re now able to offer senior living staff the chance to come together with their peers, learn practical skills for emotional well-being that can be used at work or home, and express our gratitude that they continue to show up and care for Arizona’s elderly residents,” said Dr. Tana Luger Motyka, CHN’s vice president of research and analytics.
CHN is actively inviting nursing facilities and assisted living centers who serve Mercy Care enrollees to participate in this important initiative. To learn more about the program for your staff, please contact Cheryl Goodwin at cgoodwin@covenanthealthnetwork.org.
Mercy C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action Resources Education and Service, is Mercy Care’s community giving initiative. Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy C.A.R.E.S. supports AHCCCS’ Whole Person Care Initiative, which addresses Social Risk Factors to improve health outcomes.
“Those working in the long-term care industry experience significant burnout from caring for residents with complex health needs, navigating difficult behaviors by patients with cognitive impairments, and managing a higher workload with multiple responsibilities due to the dwindling workforce, especially since the pandemic,” said Cindy Leach, vice president of long-term care at Mercy Care. ““Mercy Care is a state leader in workforce development for clinicians serving patients requiring long term care. This project is another example of that commitment.”
About Covenant Health Network
Formed in 1997, Covenant Health Network (CHN) is a non-profit post-acute care integrated delivery system that encompasses more than 100 senior living facilities across three states. CHN’s mission is to optimize resources provided to its membership, support mission-driven senior serving providers and networks, and create partnerships designed to enhance quality and financial efficiencies.
Since its inception, CHN has provided more than $30 million in charitable contributions to network members to better enable them to meet their charitable missions. By supporting post-acute care providers through services such as enhanced payor contracting, continuous quality improvement, education & training, strategic management, and an evidence-based system of care transitions, CHN furthers member ability to serve seniors.
About Mercy Care
Mercy Care is a not-for-profit Medicaid managed-care health plan, serving AHCCCS members in Arizona since 1985. Mercy Care is a local company sponsored by Dignity Health and Ascension Health. Mercy Care provides access to physical and behavioral health care services for Medicaid-eligible families, children, seniors, and individuals with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Learn more at www.MercyCareAZ.org.
