Since its inception in 1985, Mercy Care has jumped to the forefront of organizations in the Phoenix area looking to help those who need it when they need it.
During the September episode of It Happens at STN, leadership from Mercy Care joined an Action Panel to discuss their mission, why September is such an important month and how they are measuring impact and success in the community they serve.
Watch the Mercy Care Action Panel
FEELING INSPIRED?
Watch the full September episode
Action Panelists
- Christina MacMurray
- Adult System of Care Administrator
- Mercy Care
- Heather Brown
- Sr. Mngr Project & Program Management
- Mercy Care
- Christina MacMurray
- Crisis and Veteran Services Administrator
- Mercy Care
This Month's Panel
Christie MacMurray
Mercy Care
Adult System of Care Administrator
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Heather Brown
Mercy Care
Sr. Mngr Project and Program Management
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Tenasha Hildebrand
Mercy Care
Crisis and Veteran Services Administrator
A Mission To Aid Those in Need
Mercy Care is a not-for-profit health plan offering integrated care to children, adults and seniors eligible for AHCCCS benefits.
We know Mercy Care is an organization and a team dedicated to helping those who need it. So, who exactly are you looking to help? And, why is it so important to get the message out about your services?
"As a local, nonprofit Medicaid plan in the state of Arizona, we serve individuals in families throughout the state. We're an integrated health plan. We have physical health services, behavioral health services, which also encompasses substance abuse treatment services. We're really fortunate to serve the community that we do. "
"I think that it is crucial that we get the word out about these resources and how to access them so that people can utilize them in whatever is most meaningful for them or individuals who might see others who are in crisis, their families loved ones to get those, those support systems for them."
"It's a great opportunity to talk about all the work that we're doing with communities, with individuals, with families and organizations across Maricopa county and really all over the state"
September is both National Suicide Prevention month and National Suicide Prevention Awareness month. How does Mercy Care focus on these very important issues, and work toward addressing them?
"We're so very proud of our behavioral health crisis system that really does serve as that safety net for all individuals, regardless of their income or insurance to get people to the right resource at the right time. Our crisis phone lines, our crisis mobile teams, which will go out to people wherever they're at to support them and our facility based crisis services."
"Recovery month is something that's near and dear to me as a social worker, as a family member and as a friend, I'm seeing someone who potentially has some health conditions that are challenging to them, whether that's mental health or substance use and seeing them get connected to services and then get the support that they need. And then they're thriving, they're living their best lives. It's really a beautiful thing to see that happen."
"Recovery month is something that's near and dear to me as a social worker, as a family member and as a friend, I'm seeing someone who potentially has some health conditions that are challenging to them, whether that's mental health or substance use and seeing them get connected to services and then get the support that they need. And then they're thriving, they're living their best lives. It's really a beautiful thing to see that happen."
Planning is one thing, putting plans into action is another. What are some of the things you see that show you Mercy Care is moving in the right direction and meeting the goals of your mission?
"Chandler Unified School District trained over 800 of their staff from their bus drivers to their cafeteria workers, to other students. They really started to see that not only did conversations change around the school, but it really changed the culture of the organization where individuals and staff started feeling more comfortable talking about their own experiences and seeking help for suicide. "
"For adults who have a serious mental illness, we've been able to provide eviction prevention funding and some interim hotel assistance so people aren't unsheltered on the streets. We've also been able to fund the home matters program which is developing affordable housing within the state of Arizona."
"We're so very proud of our behavioral health crisis system that really does serve as that safety net for all individuals. Regardless of their income or insurance, to be able to get people to the right resource at the right time."
