Molina Healthcare of Florida Commits $70,000 to Provide Mental Health Services During a 911 Crisis Response

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Molina Healthcare of Florida (“Molina”) announced a grant to provide clinical supports at the scene when police respond to a 911 call that requires mental health expertise. The $70,000 donation funds the creation of a co-responder model with WestCare The Village South and the City of Miami Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), where officers are accompanied by WestCare’s clinicians and peer support specialists. The goal of this model is to improve health outcomes, reduce recidivism and build stronger trust between the community and public safety professionals.

“At WestCare The Village South, we believe everyone in crisis deserves compassion and care, and we are grateful to Molina Healthcare of Florida for supporting this mission,” said Danny Blanco, chief operating officer at WestCare The Village South. “By partnering with law enforcement and integrating behavioral health professionals in emergency response, we can reduce arrests, improve wellness and build a stronger, safer Miami community.”

By integrating professional mental health expertise into the first response, WestCare The Village South aims to decrease the risk of traumatization during law enforcement encounters by providing clinical support at the scene; promote de-escalation, safety, and dignity for individuals in crisis through collaborative response with CIT officers; and connect individuals and families to appropriate treatment and long-term supports that foster stability, recovery and resilience.

“Improving health outcomes takes both immediate interventions and long-term solutions, which is why we support WestCare The Village South’s crisis response strategy,” said Bill Hinsdale, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Florida. “Molina is proud to partner with community organizations that share our commitment to the well-being of those we serve.”

The grant is part of Molina’s broader investment campaign supporting area nonprofits committed to improving birth outcomes, educational attainment, housing stability, work readiness, financial sustainability, mental health and healthy aging.

About Molina Healthcare of Florida

Molina Healthcare of Florida, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid and Marketplace programs in Florida. 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 Florida, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.