TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Banner Health’s nonprofit Medicaid plan is backing a new integrated care program aimed at helping Southern Arizona residents struggling with mental health issues, substance misuse and homelessness transition to independent living.
Banner – University Family Care awarded $475,000 in community investment grants to Avant Recovery and Marana Health to support the holistic approach. The model combines transitional housing, employment support, medical and dental care, behavioral health services, and peer mentorship to help people move from psychiatric hospitalization, residential treatment, housing instability, and the justice system into stable community living.
Sarah Spiekermeier, chief executive officer and executive director of Medicaid for Banner – University Family Care, said the partnership represents the future of integrated care that recognizes health treatment cannot be isolated from housing, employment and social support needs. Banner Health granted $4.9 million to Arizona community groups in 2025 to support sustainable care models focused on prevention and chronic disease management.
Aaron Avery founded Avant Recovery to bridge gaps in recovery-to-community services. Avery said Banner – University Family Care took an unprecedented step and called the integrated model one of the most innovative Medicaid community wellness pathways across the nation.
Avant received funding to continue the Banner Housing Scholarship Program, which provides supportive, recovery-focused housing integrated into a peer-driven community. Marana Health, a federally designated health center serving underserved, low-income and uninsured populations, received a grant for its “Fix Your Teeth Fix Your Life Pilot Program.”
Joshua Carzoli, chief executive of Marana Health, said providing all needed health care services in a single location is critical for vulnerable populations. He said supporting Avant members to access coordinated, whole-person care is essential because care is often fragmented for this population with many gaps.
Banner Health operates 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states. The health system provides more than $1 billion each year in community benefit.