Capital Caring Health Expands Grief Support in Prince William County Thanks to Potomac Health Foundation

Falls Church, Virginia; September 7, 2023: The Potomac Health Foundation has awarded Capital Caring Health a $37,900 grant to support the nonprofit’s Community Grief and Bereavement program throughout the Foundation’s service areas in Prince William County. Residents of the county will now further benefit from Capital Caring Health’s comprehensive grief counseling services.

This award will support Capital Caring Health as it continues to deliver quality community grief counseling as well as its endeavor to expand access amidst a palpable mental health crisis. In its 2022 report, Mental Health America ranked Virginia 20th among all other states as having a higher prevalence of mental illness among residents. It ranked Virginia 37th in access to care.

Founded in 1977, Capital Caring Health strives to improve care for those facing life-limiting illnesses across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, regardless of their ability to pay. Its grief and bereavement services are available to family members of the patients cared for by the non-profit and the broader community. In 2022, the organization provided grief counseling to nearly 1,200 residents throughout Prince William County, all free of charge. Thanks to the support of the Potomac Health Foundation, Capital Caring Health will be able to expand this crucial support to more than 1,600 residents, helping participants identify, normalize, and assess their grief while providing coping mechanisms to guide patients through the grieving process on their own timeline.

“We plan to use this grant to reach into our communities and offer grief support to those who need it the most,” says Dr. Sabrina St. Clair, Director of Bereavement Services. “Evidence tells us that a majority of those mourning the death of a loved one feel pressure to move on without help or are unaware of the resources available to them. Grief support has also grown difficult to access – families may encounter financial strain or months-long waiting lists. In enhancing our capacity for outreach, education, and care, this award allows our team to tackle these issues with a particular focus on addressing the unmet needs of vulnerable populations who too often face barriers to care.”

Capital Caring Health’s group grief sessions enable participants to connect with community members and reflect on shared experiences in a safe and compassionate space. The grief and bereavement team will collaborate with community leaders and caregivers, including the Places of Worship Advisory Board (POWAB) and the Word of Faith Church, to cultivate a greater understanding of local needs as counselors work to respond swiftly to the mental health demands of residents.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Potomac Health Foundation for granting us this opportunity,” says St. Clair. “Through our expanded services and innovative tools for care, we can truly support those who are hurting.”

About Capital Caring Health: Capital Caring Health is a not-for-profit, community-based organization founded in the nation’s capital in 1977. Capital Caring Health is one of the most experienced and respected providers in the nation of advanced illness, hospice and elder care including primary care at home. Our care for children with life–limiting disease is the largest on the East Coast. Additional services focus on the special care needs of veterans, and those with heart failure and end-stage lung disease. More than $3 million annually funds care for those who lack coverage or the necessary financial resources for services. Over the years, Capital Caring Health has provided hospice, palliative care, and counseling to nearly 120,000 patients and their families through our regional neighborhood network across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.  

About the Potomac Health Foundation: The Potomac Health Foundation is an independent, private foundation organized exclusively for charitable purposes. The Foundation seeks to improve the health and wellness of the people residing in the Foundation’s service area.

Contact:

Steve Cone, Chief of Communications, Marketing & Philanthropy 
scone@capitalcaring.org
703-712-4860