United Health Foundation awarded a $1 million partnership grant to Circle the City to help the organization provide health care services in a new Medical Respite Center for the homeless at the Maricopa Human Services Campus.
The expanded physical, mental health and social services at the new location will enable Circle the City to continue to support patients in successful transitions from inpatient to outpatient settings, and implement key processes and analytics to triage frequent utilizers to appropriate levels of intervention within Circle the City’s services.
“Our mission is to compassionately address the health care needs of men, women and children facing homelessness,” said Brandon Clark, CEO of Circle the City. “Medical respite care is a national best practice in achieving this mission of holistic care for the most vulnerable in our community. We are grateful for the generosity of United Health Foundation for helping us expand this innovative model.”
The announcement was made during an event at Circle the City’s flagship Medical Respite Center in Phoenix. In attendance were Arizona Medicaid Director Tom Betlach; Circle the City CEO Brandon Clark, and founder and chief medical officer Sister Adele O’Sullivan, M.D.; UnitedHealthcare Community & State CEO Heather Cianfrocco; Circle the City staff and partners; UnitedHealthcare volunteers; and medical respite patients.
“We continuously strive to improve our state’s Medicaid system, and seek innovative ways to increase access to health care and improve outcomes for vulnerable people. Organizations like Circle the City and United Health Foundation are incredible partners that are making a difference for our program and more importantly for those we serve,” said Betlach.
“With homelessness on the rise statewide, this partnership will help people receive the vital health and social services they need and deserve,” said Cianfrocco. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Circle the City to help build healthier communities one person at a time, and especially for the homeless in Arizona.”
“The partnership between Circle the City and United Health Foundation will make a major difference for vulnerable populations across the Phoenix area. I appreciate United Health Foundation’s support and its efforts to serve and invest in Arizona’s communities,” said Gov. Doug Ducey.
