Covenant Health Systems is a New England wide Catholic, not-for-profit health and elder care system. Covenant was created in 1983 by the Sisters of Charity of Montreal, "Grey Nuns" to help ensure that their sponsored institutions flourished in light of the decreasing numbers of sisters able to provide leadership and ministry. In 1996, at the request of the Grey Nuns, the Holy See established Covenant Health Systems as a Public Juridic Person of Pontifical Right. Covenant has evolved in response to the changing needs of our sponsors and has grown from representing six related organizations to representing over 30 organizations.
Today, Covenant supports the mission and identity of many congregations and, as part of our own mission, supports the development of programs and services for members of religious communities and dioceses throughout New England.
Over the years of assisting or consulting with more than 23 congregations and dioceses, we know that each congregation is unique, and has its own special interests and needs. Therefore, our services are specifically designed to meet the needs of each individual group.
Among the many services we offer include:
- Helping congregations/dioceses develop comprehensive elder care plans;
- Identifying and accessing public funding to support care;
- Conducting focus groups, surveys and interviews to identify individual needs and preferences of members;
- Reviewing your physical plant to improve ease of use by frail elders;
- Creating a continuum of care model which best utilize your resources;
- Researching and facilitating the development of relationships with other high quality health care providers;
- Assisting you in negotiating the regulatory maze to develop formal, licensed services;
- Providing support to congregations who need to work with consultants such as architects and financial advisors.
Susan McDonough, Vice President, Strategy and System Development, has extensive experience consulting with congregations on elder care planning issues, including development of new resources. She is licensed as both a nursing home administrator and social worker and is a member of the Catholic Health Association Board of Directors.
Mary Ann Outwater, Director of Assisted Living Development, has assisted many congregations in implementing a wellness model of care within convents and infirmaries. She also has extensive experience developing and operating assisted living residences, Group Adult Foster Care programs, and adult day health centers. She is a registered nurse, a certified assisted living administrator, retirement housing professional and a past Chair of the National Institute of Adult Day Care.
JoAnn Santiago, Director of Planning, has worked with congregations to assess the feasibility of developing new resources such as assisted living residences and nursing homes and to navigate the licensure process. She has also developed comprehensive elder care plans, advocated for Congregations who choose to utilize high quality lay resources and conducted numerous focus groups and interviews. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and a certified Retirement Housing Professional.
- Sisters of Charity of Montreal, "Grey Nuns"
- Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary
- Poor Sisters of Jesus Crucified and the Sorrowful Mother
- Province of St. Paul of the Cross
- Christian Brothers, Long Island-New England Province
- Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield
- Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston
- Mercy Sisters - Regional Community of Burlington, VT
- Mercy Sisters Regional Community of Providence, RI
- Diocese of Burlington, VT
- School Sisters of Notre Dame, Northeast Province
- Sisters of St. Dorothy
- Felician Sisters
- Holy Union Sisters
We invite you to contact us today to see how we can be of assistance to you. info@covenanths.org or Toll Free Number (877) 862-1634