Saint Mary’s Medical Home Initiative Gets a Boost from Local Bank Foundation

Tim Stanton, Regional Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Trinity Health Of New England, and Maria Thomas, MPH, Medical Home Regional Program Coordinator, Saint Mary's Hospital, accepted a renewed grant on behalf of the Ives Bank Foundation.

The Saint Mary’s Medical Home Initiative is a hospital-based program that provides comprehensive care coordination for children and youth with special health care needs. It is run by a small, but strong team of Care Coordinators, comprised of registered nurses who have worked in pediatrics for decades. The Medical Home program is supported by grant funding through the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), with state and federal funds through the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant (Title V). 

By offering comprehensive care coordination from birth to age 21, Medical Home ensures that children with chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions get the support and services they need. This initiative focuses on addressing the medical aspects of their conditions and considers their overall well-being and quality of life. By coordinating various services and resources, such as medical care, therapy, education, and community support, the Medical Home model aims to improve outcomes and enhance the overall experience for both the children and their families.  

“Grants like this are essential because they help ease the many burdens faced by families who have children with complex medical or developmental conditions,” said Maria Thomas, MPH, Medical Home Regional Program Coordinator, Saint Mary’s Hospital. “They provide much-needed relief and support, often in the form of respite and essential items that can be difficult to afford or access.” 

During the past year, the program has served over 300 families in 42 towns spanning greater Waterbury, greater Torrington, and greater Danbury. More than one-third of the families received essential items they otherwise could not afford through the Patient Fund, such as school supplies, fees for recreational programming, and specialty health and safety-related items. Essentials are provided to families on a needs basis. Support may include items like:

-          Diapers

-          Specialized car seats

-          Adaptive highchairs

-          Child safety gates

-          Door alarms and more. 

The Saint Mary’s Medical Home Initiative also helps with recreational opportunities to improve quality of life. Thomas also shared that, “Every effort is made to provide meaningful support based on what each family truly needs, and we aim to reach as many families as possible through this program.”