SIKESTON – Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Inc. (MBRC) was awarded $14,000 from Missouri Care Inc., an Anthem company, to develop a telehealth room and purchase items for the Stork Nest Pantry.
The telehealth room will support case management, behavioral health, virtual meetings, health education and provider meetings with clients. The room will be designed to support soundproof and audio technology.
“The Telehealth room will meet the changing needs of our programs and services due to COVID-19 which has accelerated the need, options and processes for onsite telehealth,” said Cynthia Dean, MBRC CEO/Director of Programs. “We are grateful for this donation from Missouri Care to provide a telehealth room enabling MBRC to reposition itself to meet the growing needs of diverse populations in the Missouri Bootheel.”
The Stork’s Nest Pantry, a performance-based incentive program, provides basic needs to families enrolled in the Missouri Bootheel Healthy Start Program in Pemiscot, Dunklin, New Madrid, Mississippi and Scott counties. These families are often high-risk for negative birth outcomes because of socio-economic status, education, employment, violence, poor health and other unfavorable living conditions.
This funding will help improve conditions for children and parents by ensuring that certain infant care, safety items, and household items are available to more families in the Missouri Bootheel.
“These products are essential for many of our families who are not often able to afford them,” said Marie Guillaume, MA, Healthy Start case manager lead. “The items play an important role in many of our program participant’s success stories and it’s through this support from Missouri Care that we are able to provide to our local community.”
“Missouri Care is committed to providing real-time innovative solutions to our members and the community during these difficult times allowing for access to convenient healthcare and support services,” said Lou Gianquinto, Missouri Care president. “This support will allow the Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium to improve access to care, including behavioral healthcare, which has become critical, now more than ever. MissouriCare continues to adopt a digital-first approach within the local community and connect with members when they want and how they want it, putting them at the center.”
Missouri Care Inc., an Anthem company, is a managed healthcare organization committed to serving those who need it most. Missouri Care recognizes the challenges low-income and underserved individuals face, and tailors its programs such that health plan members are assured care that is not only accessible, but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated and patient centered.
Missouri Care will rebrand its plan Healthy Blue effective January 1, 2021 with MO HealthNet (Medicaid) benefits and services remaining the same. MBRC is committed to working with provider partnerships to galvanize strategies that ensure the health and sustainability of Bootheel families.
We are grateful for the partnership with Missouri Care and Anthem Inc. their contributions are invaluable in these unparalleled times.