Skip to main content

Aetna donates $400K to support mothers with substance use disorder in Roanoke, Virginia through development of new residential facility

May 21, 2024 |4 minute read time

Mother holding a baby wrapped in a blanket

Richmond, VA., May 21, 2024 — Aetna Better Health of Virginia, a CVS Health® company (NYSE: CVS) has announced a donation of $400,000 to Restoration Housing from Aetna to fund the purchase of a property in Roanoke, Virginia that will be used by the Twelve Foundation, a nonprofit serving pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder and their infants. 

The facility will operate as an ASAM 3.1 with ASAM 2.5 running concurrently and a step down to ASAM 2.1 (within the facility) with substance use disorder case management, medication assisted treatment and individual therapy. The programmatic work of the foundation will focus on medical care coordination for both mothers and babies. Aetna is the sole source of funding for the purchase of the property, located at 1729 Patterson Avenue. 

“We’re proud to support the purchase of this property, which will provide crucial services to pregnant women and new mothers with substance use disorder who are looking to make a fresh start,” said Joel Gray, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Virginia. “This donation reflects our commitment to improve the health and well-being of all communities across the commonwealth, and resolve the complex and intertwined physical, social and mental health care needs of the patients we serve.”

Restoration Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing developer with a local community focus, will restore the building, install ADA-compliant facilities, install fire suppression systems and transform the property into supportive treatment housing for pregnant women, new mothers and their children. Renovations are expected to be completed in time for operations to commence in the fall of 2024 with programming guaranteed for a minimum of 10 years.  

“This facility will be a beacon of hope for pregnant women and new mothers in need of support,” said Isabel Thornton, Executive Director of Restoration Housing. “We are grateful for Aetna's generous donation, which will enable us to purchase the facility, and partner with a nonprofit to provide comprehensive care to women and infants in the community.”

Once renovated, the Twelve Foundation will manage programming at the property, filling the gap in services previously provided at Bethany Hall, before it closed. Supportive programming will serve approximately 28 women and 28 infants annually through medicated treatment, peer recovery services and postpartum care. At all times, there will be two staff members on-site to provide continuous support and care to residents.

“There is a strong need for these services in our community,” said Ali Hamed-Moore, Board Member of the Twelve Foundation. “Through our collaboration with Aetna Better Health of Virginia, we can ensure that mothers have access to the care they need to support their infants and overcome the challenges of substance use disorder.” 

In addition to this donation, Aetna Better Health of Virginia is committed to addressing housing insecurity across both Roanoke and the entire commonwealth. CVS Health has invested in affordable, senior and supportive housing including 304 units created or preserved in Roanoke County and 6,895 affordable homes across the commonwealth of Virginia. In total, CVS Health has invested over $50 million in affordable housing.

# # #

About Medicaid

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 16 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com

About CVS Health 

CVS Health® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that’s managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

Media contact

Robert Joyce
Robert.Joyce@CVSHealth.com

Related tags

Get our latest news

Sign up for our newsletter

Thank you for subscribing. There seems to be a problem. Please try again later.
Select subscriptions

Tackling public health challenges with heart