Some of the most vulnerable residents in the Tucson area are receiving the help they need to get back on their feet under a first-of-its-kind community program supported by Banner Health’s nonprofit Medicaid plan.
Banner – University Family Care (B – UFC), in partnership with Avant Recovery and Marana Health, launched a novel, holistic approach to care and recovery for people struggling with mental health, substance misuse and homelessness.
The integrated model brings together transitional housing and employment support, medical and dental care, behavioral health care and comprehensive community-recovery support, including peer support and mentorship. The partnership is aimed at successfully transitioning people from psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment, housing instability and the justice system to care and community connection.
“This partnership represents the future of integrated care – one that recognizes you can't treat someone's health in isolation from their housing, employment, and social support needs,” says Sarah Spiekermeier, CEO and executive director of Medicaid for B – UFC.
“By bringing these services together under one coordinated model, we're not just treating symptoms; we're helping people rebuild their lives and become thriving members of our community,” Sarah says. “This is exactly the kind of innovative, community-centered approach that our nonprofit mission enables us to pursue.”
In forging the initiative, B – UFC took an unprecedented step in Arizona’s Medicaid system, says Aaron Avery, who founded Avant Recovery with the goal of bridging “recovery-to-community” gaps in services.
“The integrated model represents one of the most innovative Medicaid community wellness pathways across the nation,” Aaron says.
Latest grants awarded
Grants from Banner’s Community Reinvestment Program this year help build on the initiative:
The grants support a model of care called a Recovery Community Organization, says Colleen McGregor, administrator of the Office of Individual and Family Affairs for B – UFC. Banner first partnered with Avant in 2019 to catalyze the holistic wellness model.
The recovery model integrates peer support directly into medical care, streamlines service delivery, reduces costs and equips members with skills, structure and supports for long-term independent living.
“I saw the value of what Aaron was doing in Tucson. It’s not done anywhere else in Arizona or nationally. We absolutely have a gem,” Colleen says.
“It’s a new provider type, the integration and the model of care,” Colleen says. “We’re attempting to see this grow on a national scale by demonstrating competitive advantage, cost containment, innovation and health-related social impact.”
Fostering better, healthier lives
The program is designed to improve behavioral and physical health outcomes, reduce avoidable emergency department visits, transition members to independent living and improve quality of life.
Dozens of members so far have taken initiative to improve their lives, move off Medicaid (the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) and become productive members of their families and the community, Aaron says.
The restorative dental program, for instance, has helped members reintegrate into the community by improving employment readiness, self-esteem, community engagement and overall health.
Joshua Carzoli, chief executive of Marana Health, says providing all needed health care services in a single location is a key feature for vulnerable populations. Marana is the longest-serving community health center in Arizona.
“Providing support for Avant members to become patients and access coordinated, whole-person care across multiple locations and services within our health center system is critical, as care is often fragmented for this population and there are many gaps,” Joshua says.
“With the grant from Banner, the Fix Your Teeth Fix Your Life Program has been tremendous for members. It’s also been a huge satisfier for our staff to help people get on the path the right way. We want to support people on the road to recovery by providing them access to care, which is a critical part of that,” he says.
“It’s bridging the gaps where people fall,” Aaron says. “In recovery, everyone tells you what not to do. They don’t show you how to find yourself and grow in life. That’s our mission.”
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