The MolinaCares Accord invests over $1 million to improve health equity throughout Illinois

The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”), is launching the MolinaCares Illinois Health Equity Initiative, investing an initial $1 million in a community-based strategy to improve equity and health outcomes for underserved Illinoisans.

“In partnership with community providers, Molina is meeting Illinois residents where they are to connect them to services and resources that make a difference in their health and well-being,” said Matthew Wolf, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “We continue to deploy the Molina Mobile Health Unit across the state to provide access to health and wellness screenings, including pre- and post-natal screenings, cervical cancer screenings, wellness exams, and immunizations to improve health outcomes.”

In Illinois, 1 in 7 residents lives in poverty, with 1 in 9 children facing food insecurity. The homeless rate in Illinois has increased to 9.5 per 10,000 people, up from 8 per 10,000 people in 2019. Molina has adopted a statewide approach to address social determinants of health and improve health equity through partnerships with community-based organizations.

“Food pantries are often so much more than just food giveaways – they are places where the community can get hygiene products, health information, and even preventative services,” stated Leslie Sgro, board member at St. Martin de Porres in Springfield. “In addition to providing more meals, the grant from MolinaCares will help improve accessibility to our facility and parking lot.”

Over the past year, MolinaCares has supported numerous organizations and projects throughout the state, including:

• Partnering with Rockford Police Department’s ROCK House program, 5 Alarm Coin Laundry, and Inclusive Public Service Communities for the Fresh for Learning free wash days, and providing essential laundry services to Rockford Public School District’s 205 students and families.
• Sponsoring Fill-A-Heart 4 Kids to help provide a food distribution truck to feed homeless children in the Chicagoland area.
• Funding the Interprofessional Community Clinic at Rosalind Franklin University, a student-led free clinic providing vaccines and services for undocumented individuals.
• Expanding programing availability for LGBTQ+ peer led groups and SafeZone training at the LGBTQ Center Lake County.
• Partnering with the PuiTak Center on vaccine events and educational resources for Chicago’s Chinatown community seniors and recent immigrants.
• Joining the Fowler Bonan Foundation and Heaven’s Kitchen to provide over 300 turkeys and hot Christmas dinners for southern Illinois residents.
• Giving over 400 backpacks and supplies at the Back to School Bash in Fairmont City, which brought together health care partners and local community groups to support area students.

Learn more about the community-based organizations supported by MolinaCares here.