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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesHealth-Related Social NeedsGiving Back

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.

Fidelis-JED-Social

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.

More News:


National Children’s Dental Health Month: Smiles for Life
2/3/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Children's Health, Dental Health, Health and Wellness

woman helping child brush teeth

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This is a great time to raise awareness about the benefits of good oral health for young people.

Taking care of teeth can help prevent cavities and improve overall health outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that cavities are one of the most common diseases during childhood and can cause other health issues.

Here are some helpful guidelines:

For Babies:

Start as soon as possible. Before teeth even appear, a baby’s mouth should be cleaned twice a day – after first feeding and before bed. Wipe the gums with a clean washcloth to remove harmful germs and sugar. Don’t put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk. Milk or juices can stay on teeth and cause severe decay.

Brush teeth regularly once teeth come in. Teeth should be brushed twice a day with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Ask your dentist about using fluoride-based toothpaste and receiving a fluoride application on a baby’s teeth.

Go to the dentist by the baby’s first birthday. The dentist will look for any potential problems.

 

For Children:

Brush twice a day. Encourage children to brush their teeth at least twice a day – in the morning and right before bed – using fluoride toothpaste. Children should take their time brushing teeth and gums.

Brush the teeth and gums properly. Encourage children to take their time brushing teeth and gums.

Floss. Children should floss at least once a day.

Consider using mouthwash. Mouthwash can help reduce acid in the mouth, clean hard-to-brush areas, and strengthen teeth. Talk to your dentist about mouthwash choices for children.

Visit the dentist regularly. Children should see a dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups. The dentist can help remove plaque, look for cavities, and look for potential oral health issues.


For Caregivers:

Practice good brushing habits. Brush your teeth with children to show them good dental habits.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Set a good example for children by following a healthy diet. Eat “teeth-friendly” foods with protein, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D. Good choices include cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, and fruit. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, especially at night. Sugar can stay on the teeth overnight and cause decay.

To support Children's Dental Health Month, Fidelis Care partners with providers to host “Smiles That Shine” events that promote the importance of dental care. Click here to look for Smiles That Shine events near you.

Child Health Plus from Fidelis Care includes dental, medical, and vision coverage for children under age 19. Enrollment is open year-round, and coverage comes at low or no cost depending upon income and household size. There are no copays or deductibles. Click here to learn more about Child Health Plus from Fidelis Care or to enroll.


National Children’s Dental Health Month: Smiles for Life
2/3/2025 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Children's Health, Dental Health, Health and Wellness

woman helping child brush teeth

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This is a great time to raise awareness about the benefits of good oral health for young people.

Taking care of teeth can help prevent cavities and improve overall health outcomes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that cavities are one of the most common diseases during childhood and can cause other health issues.

Here are some helpful guidelines:

For Babies:

Start as soon as possible. Before teeth even appear, a baby’s mouth should be cleaned twice a day – after first feeding and before bed. Wipe the gums with a clean washcloth to remove harmful germs and sugar. Don’t put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk. Milk or juices can stay on teeth and cause severe decay.

Brush teeth regularly once teeth come in. Teeth should be brushed twice a day with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Ask your dentist about using fluoride-based toothpaste and receiving a fluoride application on a baby’s teeth.

Go to the dentist by the baby’s first birthday. The dentist will look for any potential problems.

 

For Children:

Brush twice a day. Encourage children to brush their teeth at least twice a day – in the morning and right before bed – using fluoride toothpaste. Children should take their time brushing teeth and gums.

Brush the teeth and gums properly. Encourage children to take their time brushing teeth and gums.

Floss. Children should floss at least once a day.

Consider using mouthwash. Mouthwash can help reduce acid in the mouth, clean hard-to-brush areas, and strengthen teeth. Talk to your dentist about mouthwash choices for children.

Visit the dentist regularly. Children should see a dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups. The dentist can help remove plaque, look for cavities, and look for potential oral health issues.


For Caregivers:

Practice good brushing habits. Brush your teeth with children to show them good dental habits.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Set a good example for children by following a healthy diet. Eat “teeth-friendly” foods with protein, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D. Good choices include cheese, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, and fruit. Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, especially at night. Sugar can stay on the teeth overnight and cause decay.

To support Children's Dental Health Month, Fidelis Care partners with providers to host “Smiles That Shine” events that promote the importance of dental care. Click here to look for Smiles That Shine events near you.

Child Health Plus from Fidelis Care includes dental, medical, and vision coverage for children under age 19. Enrollment is open year-round, and coverage comes at low or no cost depending upon income and household size. There are no copays or deductibles. Click here to learn more about Child Health Plus from Fidelis Care or to enroll.