The MolinaCares Accord Donates $50,000 to Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Support of Initiative to Create Mental Health Toolkit for Providers

03/01/2023

LONG BEACH, Calif., Mar. 1, 2023The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”), has granted $50,000 to Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) in support of the “Step Up, Stand Down”  initiative to develop a mental health de-escalation toolkit for healthcare professionals at CDU and CDU-affiliated clinics.

The grant supports the Health Equity Challenge (HEC), a program developed by MolinaCares in partnership with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research as a part of the MolinaCares California Equity and Accessibility Initiative. The initiative launched in 2021 to advance health equity across the state of California. The HEC gave UCLA students an opportunity to partner with local community-based organizations to create innovative solutions to local issues. Two finalists were selected, including Angelica Johnsen, a CDU/UCLA Doctor of Medicine candidate. CDU will work with Johnsen to help implement her proposal.

"At Molina, we are committed to ensuring access to quality care for those with mental health needs," said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California. “We are thrilled to partner with CDU to equip providers with the educational materials and strategies they need to assist patients in crisis in an empathetic and dignified manner.”

Over the next year, CDU will begin engaging residents and organizations in south Los Angeles to address mental health de-escalation strategies, develop an educational curriculum and create a multimedia toolkit to educate professionals on mental health de-escalation approaches in a variety of circumstances, whether it be on the street, in clinics or at the bedside of patients in hospital settings.

“CDU is proud to serve as a catalyst for change in the way we approach health care for underserved populations,” said Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, dean of the College of Medicine at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. “We are grateful to work with Molina in finding and implementing innovative approaches to health education for those treating individuals with mental health needs.”

About The MolinaCares Accord

Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., 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. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.

About Molina Healthcare of California

Molina Healthcare of California has been providing government-funded care for 40 years. The Company serves members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Covered California (Marketplace). Molina’s service areas include Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange County and Imperial counties. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of September 30, 2022. For more information about Molina Healthcare of California, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

About Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private non-profit student-centered university that is committed to cultivating diverse health professional leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service, and community engagement.