Molina Healthcare of Nevada Donates $50,000 to NAMI Northern Nevada in Support of Expanded Mental Health Professional Workforce in Nevada
Media Contact: Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-980-3849
RENO, Nev., Dec. 4, 2025 – Molina Healthcare of Nevada (“Molina”) presented $50,000 to NAMI Northern Nevada (“NAMI NNV”) in support of expanding the mental health professional workforce throughout the state. The grant will help fund a youth peer recovery support specialist (YPRSS) internship program that NAMI NNV implemented earlier this year.
“Like Molina, NAMI is committed to advancing the health and well-being of our most vulnerable communities,” said Nichole Schembre, executive director at NAMI Northern Nevada. “Through partnerships like this, we can continue to ensure supportive, culturally appropriate offerings and programs Nevadans can trust to give them the care they need.”
The NAMI Northern Nevada YPRSS internship began as a collaborative effort between the Department of Family and Child Services and each NAMI Nevada affiliate; duplicating a program by NAMI Western Nevada, which now provides internship opportunities to young adults ages 18-25 who are motivated to help youth overcome mental health challenges and end the stigma around mental illness through lived experiences.
“In Nevada, 1 in 5 adults experience a mental health illness yearly, while 1 in 6 adolescents experience a major depressive episode,” said Rob Baughman, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Nevada. “These staggering statistics demonstrate the importance of addressing behavioral and mental health, which is why Molina is proud to support this initiative.”
As a result of the grant, NAMI Northern Nevada has on-boarded 8 YPRSS interns in 2025, five of which have graduated and are now certified as peer recovery support specialists and community health workers. Some have moved on to secure employment at other agencies throughout the state.
About Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programs in Nevada. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Nevada, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About NAMI
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The mission of NAMI Northern Nevada is to advocate for a life of quality and dignity by providing education, resources, and emotional support to families and those affected by serious mental illness. We strive to end discrimination and stigma for all persons affected by these illnesses through broader education and collaboration with the whole community.
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