UnitedHealthcare of WI Grants $100K to Community Disability Groups
The large healthcare payer is providing several grants totaling $100,000 to support community disability groups and health resources.
Source: Thinkstock
By - UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin awarded four non-profit community health organizations a total of $100,000 to enhance healthcare access and resources for individuals with disabilities.
Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch of Wisconsin joined Yasmine Walker, Regional CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community and State as well as Ellen Sexton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin to announce the $25,000 grants.
"UnitedHealthcare's grants to these four organizations will go a long way toward helping Wisconsin residents receive the support they need to live on their own," said Lt. Gov. Kleefisch. "Many people with disabilities in Wisconsin are able to live independently and work thanks to organizations such as the four being recognized with grants from UnitedHealthcare."
Providers and healthcare stakeholders across Wisconsin addressed opportunities to improve community health for disabled patients following a preliminary round of grant proposals and a brainstorming session hosted by UnitedHealthcare. Organizations such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), healthcare non-profits, and similar government entities were among the grant finalists.
The grant awardees include The Arc Wisconsin, Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin, Independence First, and Life Navigators.
The Arc’s award will allow the organization to train 20 human-service professionals statewide, who will then provide future-planning education and support to 60 families and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Easterseals Southeast’s grant program also involves an increase in training and employment services for professionals. Their grant will provide resources to facilitate employment services for 350 people.
Independence First will use the grant to expand access to mobility equipment by providing 30 people with equipment vouchers and increase connections to independent-living resources for people with disabilities.
Life Navigators aims to launch a Intergenerational Family Support Program that provides in-home and telephone-based interventions for 40 caretakers and consumers, community training for 50 caregivers, and training for 50 financial planners.
The grants continue a tradition of payer-centered community development programs aimed at improving population health and chronic diseases management.
Recently, Humana invested $735,000 to improve community health across Florida. The programs that Humana sponsored include population health programs and strategic partnerships that help address healthcare concerns outside of the doctor’s office.
Payers can have an highly positive effect on the health outcomes of their beneficiary populations through preventive, patient-first programs that keep beneficiaries out of the hospital. Leaders at UnitedHealthcare believe this approach will can help their company fully understand a person’s health circumstances at a granular level.
"UnitedHealthcare partners with community organizations that understand how each individual's circumstances in life affect their health care and well-being," said Sexton. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support these four Wisconsin organizations that are working to improve the health and independence of Wisconsin residents with disabilities and special needs."
