Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare announced a $600,000 grant to Alexandria, Va.-based Volunteers of America to promote mental wellbeing and resilience among first responders, according to an Aug. 22 news release from the health system.
Volunteers of America plans to use the funds to scale its ReST 4 First Responders program offerings to targeted areas served by HCA Healthcare, like Denver-based HealthOne, Medical City Healthcare in Dallas, and HCA Florida Healthcare.
Volunteers of America adapted the Shay Moral Injury Center's evidence-based Resilience Strengthen Training program for front-line healthcare workers to process distressing situations and maintain resilience and commitment.
Joanne Pulles, HCA Healthcare vice president of community engagement and president of the HCA Healthcare Foundation, said the foundation is proud to partner with the Volunteers of America to expand the program.
"Our frontline caregivers show incredible resilience every day, and we are honored to partner with organizations that provide support to these remarkable individuals serving on the frontlines in communities across the country," Ms. Pulles said.
Veterans of America Shay Moral Injury Center Director Rita Brock, PhD, said that the grant enables meaningful work to help struggling first responders.
"There is no fix for moral distress, only the opportunity to address it through resilience building and connection, and that's exactly what our peer-support sessions do," Dr. Brock said.