News Release
Posted by The MolinaCares Accord

The MolinaCares Accord Invests Over $430,000 to Improve Access to Care and Health Outcomes for the City of Petersburg

Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588 

PETERSBURG, Va. – July 12, 2023 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Virginia (“Molina”), is launching its MolinaCares Partnership for Petersburg initiative with an initial investment of over $430,000 to improve access to care and community health for the city of Petersburg.

Improving access to care and health outcomes in Petersburg is part of Molina’s ongoing commitment to building stronger Virginia communities. Data show the city is the least healthy in Virginia and its life expectancy is among the lowest in the commonwealth.

“The MolinaCares Partnership for Petersburg continues our work to combat disparities in care and promote healthy lifestyle habits for Petersburg residents,” said Darrin Johnson, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Virginia. “The initiative prioritizes assistance to those facing critical challenges – like food insecurity, mental stress, and financial hurdles – to build stronger communities one life at time.”

TheMolinaCares Partnership for Petersburg will support the following initiatives:

  • Calming rooms and spaces in Petersburg City Public Schools provide a safe environment for students who need support when they become frustrated or overwhelmed. The spaces will also be used to support teachers who need positive tools for struggling students. MolinaCares has invested over $83,000 in volunteer time, supplies and furniture to create spaces for over 4,200 students in every Petersburg City Public School – spaces that students will be able to access during the school day by September of 2023. Calming rooms at Lakemont Elementary School and Vernon Johns Middle School have already been completed.
  • The United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg will receive $50,000 to help fund the WomenRise program, which provides childcare scholarships for single mothers returning to school to pursue postsecondary education or career training. The scholarship program includes access to mentorship, support and encouragement from peers, as well as resources within the United Way network.
  • Hebron VA, Inc. will receive a $50,000 grant to fund an after-school program and a weekend conference for girls in Petersburg. Hebron focuses on girls in grades six through 12 to reduce the vulnerability to academic failure, school expulsions, suspensions, crime, teen pregnancy, high drop-outrates and juvenile justice involvement.
  • The Community Touchpoint Project with the Flite Foundation uses social determinants of health to address three health issues in Petersburg: health literacy, men’s health and maternal health. The goal is to develop a psychosocial model based on gaps in care and to improve education and awareness around these specific issues.
  • A Petersburg-based Molina One Stop Resource Center is one of six in the commonwealth launching this year. The resource centers will be a central location for provider advisory group meetings, Molina member and community education, as well as health clinics and telemedicine kiosks and resources.
  • The Healthy Kids Bucks program provides children between the ages of 2 and 17 with vouchers to use each week on fresh produce at the River Street Market in Petersburg.​The program fosters lifelong healthy habits in communities by encouraging proper nutrition.
  • The partnership will also support local sponsorships, events and activities to lift members of the Petersburg community around National Children’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother’s Day, Foster Care Appreciation Month, as well as diaper and hygiene product giveaways and book distributions.

“Grant funding received from MolinaCares will enhance our organization to offer more robust programming to underserved and marginalized girls to improve their academic and social success,” said Janell D Sinclair, founder and executive director of Hebron VA, Inc. “We believe that every child can overcome challenges to become successful and deserves the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives. We are grateful for Molina’s commitment to the future of Petersburg’s youth.”

This initiative builds upon Governor Glenn Youngkin’s own Partnership for Petersburg. Learn more about the community-based organizations supported by MolinaCares here.

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 Virginia:

Molina Healthcare of Virginia has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2017. The Company serves members through Medicaid and Medicare programs throughout Virginia. Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.2 million members as of June 30, 2023, located across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit molinahealthcare.com.