WICHE Awarded Nearly $80,000 from Mercy C.A.R.E.S.; Grant to Support Expansion of Trauma-Informed Treatment
(PHOENIX – Feb. 15, 2024) – Mercy Care is pleased to announce the award of a Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $79,912 to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). This grant to fund WICHE’S expansion of competency and evidence-based practices in trauma-informed treatment.
“This marks our eighth year of working with Mercy Care to deepen the adoption of evidence-based practices through effective training,” says Dennis Mohatt, Vice President for Behavioral Health at WICHE. “We know that by supporting our behavioral health workforce through continued professional growth, not only do we support better care, but we also support workers and those they serve to thrive.”
The grant will enable WICHE to provide trainings for the following evidence-based practices:
- Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (TF-CBT), including Trauma Responsive CBT Strategies for Paraprofessionals- Trauma-Responsive CBT Strategies When Working with Individuals with Developmental Delays/Disabilities and/or those Engaged in Foster Care
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-substance use disorders, including Opioids
- Infant Toddler Mental Health training series
“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,” said Trisha Stuart, Mercy Care director of community relations. “We partner with organizations across the state, such as WICHE, whose health focus areas align with ours. These include managing chronic conditions, supporting mental health and well-being, addressing housing insecurity, and empowering recovery for substance use.”
About WICHE
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is a regional interstate compact and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Boulder, Colorado. It is one of four regional interstate higher education compacts in the United States. WICHE (pronounced “wit-chee”) was established in 1953 in the wake of the ratification by U.S. Congress of the Western Regional Education Compact. Its charge is to help the residents of the West address higher education and workforce issues distinct to the region. The WICHE Behavioral Health Program (BHP) contracts directly with states and other stakeholders to optimize delivery of behavioral health care. Learn more at www.wiche.edu.
WICHE’s 48 commissioners are appointed by the governors of the 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States. The WICHE region includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Commission activities are funded in part through annual dues paid by region members and in part through grants and sponsorships.
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.
