Giving Back to Our Communities

Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation Award $1.1 Million to The Jed Foundation to Protect the Mental Health of New York’s Youth

Funding will help expand emotional well-being resources, educational workshops, and training programs for community-based organizations that foster communities of care statewide

September 20, 2024, NEW YORK CITY — Fidelis Care, a leading health insurer providing quality, affordable coverage to New Yorkers, and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, announced today a $1.1 million grant to The Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults.

With this grant, JED will expand its current services, providing at least five youth-serving community-based organizations (CBOs) with consultation or strategic planning services, including expert guidance, educational workshops, and training programs, equipping young people with life skills and connecting them to mental health care when they are in distress.

“We are thrilled to support the vital work of The Jed Foundation with this grant,” said Vincent Marchello, Chief Medical Officer at Fidelis Care. “At Fidelis Care, we recognize the importance of mental health services in creating healthier communities. This investment underscores our commitment to ensuring youth and adolescents have access to the critical support they need to thrive.”

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is currently estimated that nearly one in five 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States experience a major depressive episode every year, and almost half of teens 13 to 17 say they would seek out professional help only as a last resort. In New York State, the need for enhanced mental health support for school-aged youth is critical: in 2021, 57% of New York 12- to 17-year-olds with depression had not received any care in the last year.

“JED is grateful to Fidelis Care and the Centene Foundation for their commitment to supporting the emotional well-being of New York youth and for providing the resources to help them thrive,” said John MacPhee, JED Chief Executive Officer. “This partnership will allow us to bring JED’s lifesaving work to community-based organizations across the state and help them build on their mental health safety nets and approaches, while positively impacting the lives of thousands of young people.”

The inaugural group of CBOs includes Bottom Line, an organization that partners with degree-aspiring students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds as they get into and through college and launch mobilizing first careers; Hetrick-Martin Institute, which provides free, year-round programs and services for LGBTQIA+ youth and allies aged 13 to 24 in New York City; and Prep for Prep, which provides first-rate educational, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities for young people of color in New York City.

"Through decades of experience at Bottom Line, we have seen that the condition of a student's mental health plays a significant role in their overall journey to becoming a college graduate and professional,” said Sheneita R. Graham, Director of Culturally Responsive Programming at Bottom Line. “Our role at Bottom Line is to build strong relationships that assist us in determining need and connecting students to resources that will help them thrive personally to persist academically. Partnering with The Jed Foundation grants us the opportunity to expertly assess our mental health policies, processes, and resources to ensure we provide our students with thoughtful, high-quality support."

"Hetrick-Martin Institute is pleased to be working with The Jed Foundation to improve our ability to recognize young people in distress and conduct suicide risk assessments," said Bridget Hughes, Chief Program Officer at Hetrick-Martin Institute.

"We are so grateful to The Jed Foundation for hosting two workshops for our incoming college freshmen as part of our annual College Transition Retreat,” said Corey Rhoades, Director of Undergraduate Affairs at Prep for Prep. “The presenters shared their expertise and tailored the sessions in a way that was uniquely relevant and engaging for our students."

To learn more about ways to provide community-based organizations with consulting, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect youth mental health and prevent suicide, visit JED’s website .

Screener Program Provides Support to Families Impacted by Social Determinants of Health

SDoH-chart

Fidelis Care’s innovative SDoH screener program was launched two years ago as a grassroots health equity initiative to address conditions in the environments where people are born, live, work, and play that affect their health, well-being, and quality of life. Social Determinants of Health can affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes – particularly among vulnerable populations and in underserved areas.

The screener enables trained Fidelis Care representatives to assess an individual’s immediate needs and challenges related to SDoH through a brief series of questions covering areas such as access to transportation, food, and secure and safe housing. More than 450,000 Fidelis Care members have participated to date.

Click here to learn more about the different Social Determinants of Health and find available resources.

Learn how Fidelis Care impacts the communities we are privileged to serve.

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Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month: Compassionate Care

1/24/2025 • Posted by Compassionate Care in Caregiver Support, Health and Wellness

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month is a time to recognize the impact of substance use disorders and the importance of accessible, compassionate care. The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 48.5 million people aged 12 or older in the United States had a substance use disorder. Barriers such as stigma and limited availability of resources often prevent people from seeking help. In observance of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, Fidelis Care visited with Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services (Crouse ATS) Director Monika Taylor. Crouse ATS is a 2024 Fidelis Care behavioral health grant recipient.

Fidelis Care: What is Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services?

Monika Taylor: Crouse Health has been a leader in addiction treatment services in Central New York since 1963 and was the first provider in the region to offer methadone maintenance for the treatment of opioid use disorders. Services include Commonwealth Place, a 40-bed inpatient unit for adults 18 and older, and The Bill and Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center, home to outpatient addiction treatment services. The Crouse ATS mission is to provide the best in addiction treatment and to support recovery by integrating physical health, mental health, and spiritual care for patients and families.

In 2024, Crouse ATS provided treatment to over 2,500 individuals from more than 15 counties throughout Central New York and beyond.

Fidelis Care: What is your message in observance of Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month?

Monica Taylor: Addiction is a chronic and progressive but treatable disease. Left untreated, it has a negative impact on the individual, family, and society. That is why we all work so hard in support of people addicted to alcohol and other substances.

Fidelis Care: Tell us about the relationship between Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services and Fidelis Care.

Monika Taylor: Crouse ATS is committed to providing innovative, quality care to individuals with substance use disorder. Crouse appreciates Fidelis Care providing funding to enhance the treatment environment at Commonwealth Place. The funding will allow Crouse to install a pickleball court, enhance the existing basketball court, and put up raised garden beds. Gardening helps build strength, promotes sleep, and boosts mood. Engaging patients in hobbies such as gardening while in treatment enhances motivation to change and retention in treatment.

Fidelis Care: What advice do you have for family members, loved ones, or friends of those in need of treatment?

Monika Taylor: Addiction never happens in isolation. It impacts those who are emotionally close to the individual struggling with addiction. Family and loved ones are an integral part of patients’ ongoing recovery from the effects of substance use. Becoming educated and seeking out support systems are the best ways to support a loved one during the treatment and recovery process.

In 2025, Crouse ATS is expanding its services for families impacted by substance use disorder. Offerings will include individual and group services and are expected to convene in late spring.

Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services Director Monika Taylor, MBA, LCSW, CASAC started her career at Crouse in 2005 as a therapist. She has held roles as clinical supervisor and outpatient manager and has been in the role of director since 2013. She has worked to advocate for individuals with addiction at the local, state, and federal levels.

Additional Resources

Crouse Health Addiction Treatment Services

Fidelis Care Behavioral Health Resources

Fidelis Care HealthierLife (HARP)

Community Overdose Prevention Education (NYS OASS)

Medication for Addiction Treatment (NYS OASS)