IU Health Foundation receives $770,000 grant to expand Congregational Care Network 

IU Health Foundation has received a $770,000 grant from the Centene Foundation and Managed Health Services (MHS) to expand the Congregational Care Network (CCN) into Allen and Lake counties, strengthening community-based support for vulnerable patients across Northern Indiana.   

The two-year grant will fund the growth of CCN, a program that connects trained volunteers from local faith communities with patients who are at risk of social isolation following a hospital stay. Volunteers offer weekly check-ins, emotional support and help navigate community resources – creating a bridge between clinical care and community connection.  

The expansion comes at a time when national health leaders are sounding the alarm on the public health impact of loneliness. In a 2023 advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called social disconnection an “epidemic,” linking it to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, dementia and premature death. 

Additionally, a report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine detailed startling findings on loneliness and social isolation in older adults concluding that social isolation significantly increased an individual’s risk of premature death from all causes, rivaling the risks associated with smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. Social isolation was associated with around a 50% increased risk of dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.   

“Isolation can be a serious barrier to healing,” said Jay Foster, vice president of Spiritual Care at IU Health. “This grant allows us to extend the reach of the Congregational Care Network to ensure more patients have someone walking alongside them after discharge. We’re grateful to the Centene Foundation and MHS for investing in this work.”

Cassandra Tice, director of grants at IU Health Foundation, emphasized the importance of community partnerships in addressing social isolation. "This grant is a powerful example of what’s possible when healthcare and community organizations work together," Tice said. "By expanding CCN into Northern Indiana, we’re not just improving patient outcomes. We’re building a more connected, compassionate system of care."

"We are thrilled to collaborate with IU Health and other local partners to expand the Congregational Care Network to Northwest Indiana," said Mark D. Fox, Associate Dean and Regional Campus Director for the IU School of Medicine – Northwest – Gary. "This initiative provides an opportunity for our students to be more deeply involved in the community and to gain valuable insight into social factors impacting health."

MHS, as a health coverage provider for the state of Indiana for 30 years, understands the importance of building connections in the community to improve access to care and overall wellness. “Being able to partner on vital initiatives like this with IU Health and the Centene Foundation to impact social isolation aligns directly with our mission at MHS to transform the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time," states Christina Hage, MHS Plan President and CEO.

Originally launched in Indianapolis, CCN has served hundreds of patients through partnerships with congregations, community organizations and IU Health social workers. The expansion into Allen and Lake counties builds on this model, with a focus on training volunteers, coordinating care and measuring impact. Early interest from clergy groups and multi-faith partners in both Fort Wayne and Gary has been strong, with four new congregations joining the network so far.  

For more information about IU Health Foundation and the community health initiatives it leverages philanthropy to support, visit iuhealthfoundation.org.