West Valley Health Equity Awarded $146,650 to Support Health Meets Home

(PHOENIX – Oct. 29, 2024) – Mercy C.A.R.E.S. recently awarded West Valley Health Equity a 2024 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $146,650. Funding will be used to support Health Meets Home, a program through West Valley Health Equity that provides housing designed to create a supportive, sober, and healing home environment for its participants.

“At West Valley Health Equity, we recognize the profound impact of stable housing on overall well-being, and our commitment to health-supported housing is at the core of our mission. We understand that housing instability is intricately linked with access to healthcare and substance use disorders, all of which significantly affect maternal and child health,” said Julia Carlberg, MA, West Valley Health Equity executive board president. “Through Health Meets Home, we provide homes strategically located in walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with proximity to public transportation, parks, and healthy food options, with the aim of bridging the service gap in addressing these intertwined crises in the Valley.”

As part of the program, CDC Public Health AmeriCorps members play a crucial role in delivering evidence-based Seeking Safety interventions, fostering recovery, and providing maternal and child resiliency skill-building activities. They also ensure access to care through transportation services, recognizing the importance of breaking down barriers that may hinder individuals from receiving the healthcare they need.

“The health-supported housing program is showing that it improves maternal health outcomes, including reduced rates of maternal overdose, relapse, and postpartum depression,” said Trisha Stuart, Mercy Care director of community relations. “Additionally, the program aims to reduce preventable pre-term births and NICU admissions, contributing to improved infant health outcomes.”

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.

“Through Mercy C.A.R.E.S., we partner with organizations that advance health equity and further our mission that everyone, particularly those who are underserved with complex health needs, deserves to live a healthier life and achieve their full potential,” said Stuart.

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.

About West Valley Health Equity

West Valley OB-GYN and Desert Bloom Family Medical opened the doors to West Valley Health Equity in 2022, a nonprofit founded in response to the community’s health needs, extending beyond the clinic walls. West Valley Health Equity is committed to creating an integrated and supportive environment that addresses the intersection of health and housing. This comprehensive approach involves coordinating care across primary care, pediatric care, prenatal care, behavioral health, and health-related social needs. The community-based services address critical maternal child health needs in areas of Arizona that have long faced inequities limiting their housing and health opportunities. For more information, visit www.wvhealthequity.com.