The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Arizona (“Molina”), has granted $50,000 to the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona to fund its Direct Care Workforce Resource Program. The grant targets the growing shortage of in-home care workers throughout Pima County. Through the grant period, the program anticipates supporting nearly 200 candidates with the training and pre-employment requirements needed to become a direct care worker, such as CPR classes and fingerprint clearance.

Pima County is experiencing significant growth in its aging population, placing increasing strain on an already fragile in-home care industry. According to an AARP survey, over 90% of participants expressed a desire to “age in place,” yet a critical shortage of direct care workers leaves many without the support they need to do so safely and effectively. The MolinaCares grant addresses that gap by funding a proven model that deploys community health workers to guide direct care worker candidates through the entire pre-employment process at no cost to the candidate.

“The support from MolinaCares allows us to expand our existing efforts and reach more direct care worker candidates in Pima County by helping remove financial barriers that can prevent qualified people from entering this vital profession,” said Vanecia Kerr, president and CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. “By investing in the direct care workforce, we’re creating pathways to meaningful employment while helping more older adults remain safely and independently in their homes as they age. We’re grateful to Molina for investing in a solution that strengthens both our workforce and our community.”

The Direct Care Workforce Resource Program also delivers professional development services, including interview preparation and career pathway mapping, alongside ongoing mentorship and peer networking. A virtual platform makes resources available to candidates at their convenience and increases overall program capacity.

“Pima County’s growing aging population deserves the in-home care and support needed to live with dignity and independence, and this grant reflects our commitment to making that possible,” said Minnie Andrade, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Arizona. “By investing in the direct care workforce, we are strengthening the community’s capacity to care for community members while creating meaningful employment pathways for workers across Southern Arizona.”

Since its launch in 2020, the Direct Care Workforce Resource program has earned national recognition at aging conferences and secured support from multiple health plans and foundations, establishing it as a proven model for workforce development in the aging sector.

Learn more about becoming a direct care professional at https://unitedwaytucson.org/direct-care/.

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 Arizona

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

About United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is building a thriving community by uniting people, ideas, and resources, serving more than 280,000 individuals locally each year. With more than a century of service in the region, United Way focuses on advancing educational success, financial wellness, healthy living, housing stability, and homelessness prevention. As a community convener, United Way fosters strategic partnerships and mobilizes resources to design innovative solutions that strengthen the region and improve lives. By utilizing measurable results, United Way ensures data-driven decision-making and monitors both internal and external partner programs to maximize outcomes. Learn more at www.unitedwaytucson.org.

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