Meridian in Michigan and the Centene Foundation Announce $1.1 million Grant to Neighborhood Service Organization
Meridian in Michigan, a Centene subsidiary, and the Centene Foundation announced a $1.1 million grant to the Neighborhood Service Organization in Detroit. The grant supports the Medical Respite program for Detroit's homeless, focusing on healthcare and housing stability.
The $1.1 million grant from Meridian and the Centene Foundation supports the Medical Respite program, improving access to healthcare and housing stability for Detroit's homeless population.
The Medical Respite program aims to decrease inpatient admissions, reduce emergency department utilization, and lower healthcare spending, showing promising results since its inception in 2023.
The partnership between Meridian, the Centene Foundation, and the Neighborhood Service Organization aligns with the goal of providing individuals experiencing homelessness with access to healthcare and support services to lead healthier lives.
The demand for beds in Detroit's Medical Respite program exceeds availability, highlighting a significant gap in meeting the needs of the homeless population in the city.
"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
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,
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
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
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FAQ
What is the purpose of the $1.1 million grant announced by Meridian and the Centene Foundation?
How many individuals does the NSO program expect to serve annually?
What positive outcomes has NSO's Medical Respite program shown since its opening?
