Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) and Iowa Total Care will host a ribbon cuttingceremony forthenewEmpowermentCommand Centerand AffordableHousing ProjectonTuesday, October 14 at11:00a.m. at 609 E. Pennsylvania St., Ottumwa.
The Empowerment Command Center is a portion of a 2-year $2.55 million commitment to CISS by Iowa Total Care and the Centene Foundation, thephilanthropic arm of Centene Corporation.
Thisproject representsCISS' commitment toaddressingtheurgent needsof ruralIowans facinghomelessnessandhousing instability.The Empowerment Command Center provides essential services, including job training, veterans' resources, case management, health and wellness support, and pathways to permanent housing. CISS aims to eliminate the obstacles that residentsofWapello Countycurrentlyfacewhenneedingtotraveltourbancenters for these vital services.
“Ourresearchidentified Ottumwa and Wapello Countyasaplace inneedofservicesandsupportfor individualsexperiencing housing challenges,” said MelissaO'Neil, CISS CEO.”While we have been serving Wapello County for several years, theopeningofournewestEmpowermentCommand CenterinOttumwa reflectsour dedicationtoextendingefficientandeffective solutionstohomelessnessintorural communities while fostering stability and empowerment.”
“Iowa Total Care and the Centene Foundation are committed to addressing the social factors that influence health, such as housing and access to services. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to implement sustainable, community-based solutions to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. We are proud to support CISS and the Ottumwa Empowerment Command Center in delivering innovative resources to rural Iowans,” said Bryan Sanders, Plan President & CEO of Iowa Total Care.
Modeled after the successful Empowerment Command Center in Des Moines, this initiative will bring critical resources closer to the community and facilitate a more supportive environment for individuals seeking assistance and utilizing existing resources. A dedicated team of case workers and advocates will ensure that residents receive tailored support and comprehensive care.
Additionally,theprojectwillintroduceaffordablehousingunitsinOttumwa, addressing the significant gaps in housing availability. Funded through grant allocations, local support, and private financial contributions, these units will serve as a lifeline for those who may not qualify for traditional housing options.
CISS invites community members, stakeholders, and advocates to join in this pivotal occasion.Yourpresencecanhelpamplify themessageofsupportandcommitmenttothose inneed.
About Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS)Central Iowa Shelter & Servicesis the largest low-barrier shelter in Iowa. Its mission is to provide shelter, meals and support services to adults experiencing homelessness and to facilitate their move toward self-sufficiency. CISS also provides housing services to a 15-county region through its Rolling Hills Coalition.
About Iowa Total Care (ITC)Iowa Total Careprovides Medicaid healthcare coverage to eligible individuals in Iowa. Established in 2019, Iowa Total Care exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate, and coordinated care. Iowa Total Care is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise that is committed to helping people live healthier lives.
About the Centene FoundationThe Centene Foundation (the “Foundation”), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm ofCentene Corporation (“Centene”).The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services, and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation'swebsite.
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SOURCE Iowa Total Care
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