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.

More News:

Fidelis Care’s New Rego Park Community Office Opens to Serve Local Residents

7/27/2021 • Posted by Maria Ramirez in Corporate News, In The Community

New location continues health plan’s more than 25-year commitment to the community

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, July 27, 2021– Fidelis Care is pleased to announce the opening of its newest Community Office at 95-01 63rd Drive in Rego Park, Queens. Conveniently located in a busy and diverse neighborhood near shopping, restaurants, and businesses, and with easy access to public transportation, the new office continues Fidelis Care’s more than 25-year commitment to serve local residents where they work and live.

With high visibility at the intersection of 63^rd Drive and Saunders Street, the spacious new office is just two blocks away from Fidelis Care’s former Welcome Center and headquarters at 95-25 Queens Boulevard, and enables members and those seeking information about quality, affordable health insurance to meet with a Fidelis Care Representative in a safe and private setting. Fidelis Care Representatives speak multiple languages, reflecting the diversity of the community.

Whether applying for or renewing their coverage, or learning about their health insurance options, local residents can visit the new Community Office Mondays and Thursdays from 9 AM-5:30 PM; and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 AM-3 PM during July and August. Starting in September, new hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.

“By being part of the community, we are able to make sure that children and adults of all ages have access to the health care and coverage they need,” said Fidelis Care Chief Member Engagement Officer Pam Hassen. “Fidelis Care is deeply rooted in the Rego Park community and we look forward to having an expanded presence through our newest Community Office, where we can continue to provide outstanding service, support, and care.”

Fidelis Care has 36 Community Offices across New York State, including 21 in New York City and Long Island. StreetSide, Fidelis Care's fleet of mobile offices, is also on the road to serve members and share information about coverage options.

Expanded Coverage, New Financial Assistance, No Premium for Essential Plan

Fidelis Care Representatives can help local residents learn about low-cost options for coverage and new and expanded financial assistance to New Yorkers enrolling in health insurance through NY State of Health. Through the American Rescue Plan, more individuals and families now qualify for financial help – including those with higher incomes who were not previously eligible for tax credits. Additionally, the Essential Plan now has no monthly premium, with dental and vision coverage added at no cost to members.

At all Fidelis Care community offices and StreetSide vehicles, COVID-19 safety precautions are in place including required mask wearing for entry, hand sanitizing, and social distancing.

For more information, or to make an appointment, individuals may call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547); TTY: 711. The latest Community Office and StreetSide schedule is available at fideliscare.org/offices.

About Fidelis Care:
Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.3 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on Twitter at @fideliscare, Instagram at @fideliscare, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.

Fidelis Care contact: Maria Ramirez MediaInquiries@fideliscare.org