Iowa Long Term Care Workers to Benefit From MolinaCares Grant – Provider

The MolinaCares Accord has presented $50,000 checks to both the Food Bank of Iowa and the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation as part of MolinaCares’ commitment of $150,000 to urban and rural area organizations in Iowa to positively impact population health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health and reducing health disparities, according to the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA).

The Iowa Health Care Association Foundation said it will use its grant to provide scholarships for rural Iowans interested in working in long term care (LTC) facilities and to increase supplies of personal protective equipment and other essentials in long term care facilities facing shortages due to the pandemic.

“2020 has been an extremely challenging year for those who live and work in long term care. It is exciting to look to the rest of 2021 knowing we will now be able to help more long term care employees and residents,” said Lori Ristau, executive director of the Iowa Health Care Association Foundation.

“Thanks to MolinaCares’ generous donation, we are now able to help 20 additional high school students achieve their career goals to work in long term care with our high school scholarship program and help additional long term care staff with the resources they need to provide care with our COVID-19 Recovery Fund.”

The funds provided to the Food Bank of Iowa will help bolster school backpack programs, rural food pantries, and mobile pantries in 55 counties across Iowa.

Established by Molina Healthcare, The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.

Founded in 1988 by IHCA, the mission of the IHCA Foundation is to foster excellence in long term care for Iowans by building a stronger workforce.

The IHCA Foundation carries out this mission by empowering individuals to reach their career goals through scholarships, career education, and career access programs. IHCA Foundation programs help support career opportunities available in the long term care continuum, including nursing facilities, assisted living programs, residential care facilities, senior living communities, and home health agencies.

Learn more at www.iowahealthcare.org/foundation.