Press Releases

Monterey, CA – Central Coast VNA and Hospice (VNA) is pleased to be the recipient of a $210,000 grant from Hospice Giving Foundation for our Visiting Nurse clinical team to expand direct service to our community. Hospice Giving Foundation has proudly awarded over $31MM in grants for community-based support to promote personal choice, preparedness, and the highest standards of compassionate, dignified end-of-life care for individuals and their loved ones.
The grant will allow advancement and an educational focus towards the Palliative Care Program VNA offers to residents of Monterey and San Benito Counties.
The specific goals of this enhanced program are noteworthy:

1. Increased Access to Palliative Care: One of the primary objectives is to make VNA palliative care more accessible to individuals in Monterey County. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses, and this initiative aims to ensure more people can benefit from these services.
2. Bridging the Gap: The program seeks to bridge the gap between palliative care and hospice care. These funds allow VNA to guide you, community members, to the level of care right for your individual needs, as well as the family and caregivers. The smooth transition between care can improve patient outcomes, longevity in service access and provide comprehensive support throughout their healthcare journey.
3. Community and Healthcare Provider Education: VNA Hospice (Visiting Nurse's) program aims to educate both residents and healthcare providers in the community about the benefits of early access to palliative care for individuals with serious illnesses. This educational initiative is crucial to raise awareness about the advantages of palliative care, not only for patients, families but also for healthcare professionals.
This grant makes a financial impact and is a testament of recognition to the important work being delivered by VNA in the community. Director of Patient Care Services, Jeannette Fassler-Walker states, "Bridging the gap between palliative care and hospice will allow us to make a bigger impact on the lives of our patients and their families. This generous grant gives us the opportunity to strengthen our palliative care program and continue to make a difference in our community." VNA is grateful to Hospice Giving Foundation for their generous support of our programs and historical partnership.