UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey is committed to the well-being of family caregivers and children with serious illnesses. The health plan recently invested $30,000 for the expansion of Chai Lifeline’s Moms-to-Moms program. Chai Lifeline is an international illness and crisis support network that offers hospital and home-based services.1 Its mission is, “To meet the social, emotional and practical needs of children, families and communities impacted by illness, trauma or loss.” The network provides services including summer camp programs for children, meal delivery programs for families and trauma support for the community.
Renamed the UnitedHealthcare Moms-to-Moms program, the initiative provides a supportive environment for mothers caring for children with serious illnesses.2 The program includes therapeutic nights out, peer support groups and workshops which encourage mothers to share their experiences and celebrate their children’s milestones. Recently, Moms-to-Moms facilitated support groups for mothers of children with Spina Bifida and cancer, as well as events featuring motivational speakers.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey’s investment will expand community collaboration efforts as well as outreach regarding maternal health resources in Ocean County. This community investment aims to grow a sustainable caregiver support program for mothers who are caregivers in New Jersey.
Moms-to-Moms program offerings are supported by research which shows that providing family caregivers with resources can offset negative impacts from social drivers of health.3 Research additionally shows that caregivers often experience emotional, psychological and financial strain.4 Approximately 20% of caregivers report fair to poor health, and almost 40% of caregivers have at least two chronic diseases. Supporting caregivers can improve health outcomes for both the caregiver and recipients of care.
Samuel George, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey, emphasized the importance of caring for caregivers, “It’s critical for caregivers, especially those caring for the most vulnerable populations like children impacted by illness or crisis, to take time to support their own health and wellness needs. That’s why we’re honored to collaborate with Chai Lifeline as they host Moms-to-Moms events throughout the community.”
“We are thrilled to partner with UnitedHealthcare, a company that shares our vision of supporting families through some of their most challenging times,” said Rabbi Sruli Fried, MSW, regional director of Chai Lifeline New Jersey/Pennsylvania. “This partnership will enable us to broaden the scope of our Moms-to-Moms Program, creating more opportunities for mothers to find the encouragement, connection and support they desperately need.”
