EMPOWERED receives $50,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of Nevada to launch in-home recovery support program for pregnant and postpartum individuals

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–EMPOWERED, a program of Roseman University College of Medicine dedicated to supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by substance use disorders, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of Nevada (“Molina”) to launch EMPOWERED Home (+), a new initiative that brings comprehensive, interdisciplinary care directly into clients’ living environments.

The EMPOWERED Home (+) program is designed to address social determinants of health by delivering services in the home, where recovery and family life intersect. Through structured household visits, interdisciplinary teams will support pregnant and postpartum individuals in Las Vegas experiencing opioid and/or stimulant use disorders, and families at risk of developing a substance use disorder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose is the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age (15–44) both nationally and in Nevada. It is also the leading cause of maternal mortality – defined as death during pregnancy or up to one year after giving birth – in Nevada, according to the Nevada Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity Report.

Each visiting team will include a medical clinician, an EMPOWERED peer recovery support specialist and medical students from Roseman University College of Medicine. Teams will provide comprehensive screening, care coordination, education and direct navigation to community resources in the home setting. The pilot program is expected to serve 30 households over a one-year period.

“This investment from Molina allows us to meet families where recovery truly happens,” said Dr. Andria Peterson, PharmD, co-founder and executive director of EMPOWERED and chair of the Department of Bioethics, Humanism and Policy at Roseman University College of Medicine. “By stepping into the home, we can better identify barriers to care, strengthen family-centered support systems and improve health outcomes for parents and children alike.”

Funding from Molina will support clinical equipment for home visits, overdose prevention and first-aid kits, health promotion materials, professional training resources, and outreach and educational materials to strengthen program engagement.

“Molina is deeply committed to Nevada and proud to partner with EMPOWERED to expand access to comprehensive, recovery‑focused care,” said Nick Hollister, MD, behavioral health medical director at Molina Healthcare of Nevada. “By connecting mothers with medical services, counseling, peer support, education, and community resources, this program strengthens families and helps moms thrive during and after pregnancy.”

In addition to direct patient impact, the program will provide hands-on, community-based learning opportunities for Roseman’s medical students, helping prepare the next generation of physicians to deliver compassionate, holistic care outside traditional clinical settings.

The EMPOWERED Home (+) pilot will be implemented over one year, with plans to integrate the program into Roseman University College of Medicine for long-term sustainability and continued service beyond the grant period.

About EMPOWERED

The EMPOWERED program at Roseman University College of Medicine was established in Las Vegas in 2018 and provides resources and support to pregnant and postpartum individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, primarily opioids and stimulants. EMPOWERED connects clients to medical treatment, individual and group therapy, peer support, community resources, housing, education and basic living supplies. The program now serves clients in Southern Nevada; Reno, Carson City, and Lyon and Churchill counties in Northern Nevada; and Weber and Davis counties in Utah.

About Molina Healthcare of Nevada

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

Contacts

Jason Roth

VP, Communications

Roseman University of Health Sciences

(702) 963-1633 | [email protected]

Rhonda Frazier

Director, Public Relations

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

(562) 980-3849 | [email protected]