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HomeMemberHelpful ToolsHealth ResourcesSocial Determinants of HealthGiving 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:


Understanding the Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know
10/31/2024 • Posted by Dr. Natalie Schwartz, Endocrinologist and Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director in Diabetes, Health and Wellness



Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, a condition that can develop over time when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter waste out of your blood. Over time, this damage can get worse. It can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diabetic kidney disease does not happen overnight. It progresses through several stages, starting with very mild damage and then more serious issues if not managed correctly.

The best way to protect your kidneys from damage is to manage your diabetes. You can lower the risk of kidney disease by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control. Here are some key steps you can take:

1. Control Your Blood Sugar

Managing your blood sugar levels is the most important step in preventing kidney disease. Follow your primary care provider (PCP)’s advice on how to monitor your blood glucose levels. Take your medications as prescribed. If you are unsure about the right range of blood sugar levels for you, talk to your PCP.

2. Manage Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can further damage your kidneys, especially when combined with diabetes. Aim to keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, or as recommended by your PCP. Medications called ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often prescribed to help protect the kidneys in people with diabetes.

3. Stay Active and Maintain a Healthy Diet

Regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet can help manage both blood sugar and blood pressure. Eat foods low in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Your PCP or nutritionist can help you make a meal plan that supports both your diabetes and kidney health.

4. Quit Smoking

Smoking can contribute to kidney damage, especially if you have diabetes. Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Fidelis Care offers smoking cessation resources that can help you quit smoking.

5. Take Medications as Prescribed

Take prescribed medications for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol as directed by your PCP. Certain drugs that help control blood sugar (called “SGLT-2 inhibitors) can also lower blood pressure. Along with GLP-1 receptor agonists, these medications can lower the strain on your kidneys and slow the progression of any existing kidney damage.

6. Regularly Monitor Kidney Function

People with diabetes should have their kidney function tested regularly. This can be done through a urine test (to check for protein) and a blood test (to measure how well the kidneys are filtering blood). Finding kidney problems early can make a big difference in preventing further damage. Ask your PCP how often you should be screened.

Managing diabetes is key to protecting your kidney health. By staying informed, following your treatment plan, working with your PCP, and using resources available through Fidelis Care, you can lower the risk of kidney disease and live a healthier life.


Understanding the Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease: What You Need to Know
10/31/2024 • Posted by Dr. Natalie Schwartz, Endocrinologist and Fidelis Care Senior Medical Director in Diabetes, Health and Wellness



Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, a condition that can develop over time when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter waste out of your blood. Over time, this damage can get worse. It can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In severe cases, it can lead to kidney failure, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Diabetic kidney disease does not happen overnight. It progresses through several stages, starting with very mild damage and then more serious issues if not managed correctly.

The best way to protect your kidneys from damage is to manage your diabetes. You can lower the risk of kidney disease by keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control. Here are some key steps you can take:

1. Control Your Blood Sugar

Managing your blood sugar levels is the most important step in preventing kidney disease. Follow your primary care provider (PCP)’s advice on how to monitor your blood glucose levels. Take your medications as prescribed. If you are unsure about the right range of blood sugar levels for you, talk to your PCP.

2. Manage Your Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can further damage your kidneys, especially when combined with diabetes. Aim to keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, or as recommended by your PCP. Medications called ACE inhibitors or ARBs are often prescribed to help protect the kidneys in people with diabetes.

3. Stay Active and Maintain a Healthy Diet

Regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet can help manage both blood sugar and blood pressure. Eat foods low in sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Your PCP or nutritionist can help you make a meal plan that supports both your diabetes and kidney health.

4. Quit Smoking

Smoking can contribute to kidney damage, especially if you have diabetes. Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Fidelis Care offers smoking cessation resources that can help you quit smoking.

5. Take Medications as Prescribed

Take prescribed medications for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol as directed by your PCP. Certain drugs that help control blood sugar (called “SGLT-2 inhibitors) can also lower blood pressure. Along with GLP-1 receptor agonists, these medications can lower the strain on your kidneys and slow the progression of any existing kidney damage.

6. Regularly Monitor Kidney Function

People with diabetes should have their kidney function tested regularly. This can be done through a urine test (to check for protein) and a blood test (to measure how well the kidneys are filtering blood). Finding kidney problems early can make a big difference in preventing further damage. Ask your PCP how often you should be screened.

Managing diabetes is key to protecting your kidney health. By staying informed, following your treatment plan, working with your PCP, and using resources available through Fidelis Care, you can lower the risk of kidney disease and live a healthier life.