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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:


2022 Year in Review: Fidelis Care Helps Members and Local Communities Address Health Challenges across the State
1/23/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Corporate News, In The Community, Social Determinants of Health

In 2022, communities across New York continued to experience health and wellness challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic; social determinants of health (SDoH), such as food insecurity and affordable housing; mental health issues; and much more. Through it all, statewide health plan Fidelis Care partnered with a variety of providers and agencies to support local communities through grassroots programs and events, education, and action.

Fidelis Care worked with over 1,700 organizations and coordinated more than 3,500 events – all a reflection of the company’s mission to transform communities, one person at a time. Recognizing the impact of SDoH, for example, Fidelis Care expanded support and took action to empower and uplift communities through health and wellness initiatives addressing critical areas such as access to vaccines, early childhood literacy, Black maternal health, transportation, healthy nutrition, and more.

“Across the state, we came together with partners, providers, and local leaders to provide support for local residents where it was needed most,” said Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer Vincent Marchello, MD. “We worked to address critical health challenges and provide solutions that would make a difference in the lives of those most in need. I’m proud of all that we accomplished and know our commitment to support the health and wellness of all New Yorkers will continue as we look to the coming year.”

 

Key community initiatives for Fidelis Care in 2022 included:

  • Standing With Buffalo

In the wake of the tragic shooting at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo on May 14, Fidelis Care mobilized to help the community and meet the needs of its members and local residents. Fidelis Care donated over $11,000 of food, personal care items, formula, and diapers to residents affected by the tragedy. In the fall, Fidelis Care donated $60,000 of free bus passes for residents in East Buffalo to improve their access to transportation and quality of life. The bus passes were available to community members through the Resource Council of WNY from September through December.

  • Diversity Through Literacy

Fidelis Care partnered with Literacy Inc. in New York City to promote early literacy and foster diverse representation in children’s literature. Fidelis Care donated more than 1,000 books that featured stories representing racial diversity.

  • Veggies to Go

In August, Fidelis Care launched a new initiative to help address food insecurity in low-income neighborhoods. Through key partnerships and working with local farmers, Fidelis Care provided more than 21,000 pounds of free fruits and vegetables to residents during several events across the state. 

  • Backpack Heroes

Fidelis Care partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and CBS-affiliate WRGB-6 in Albany for the 7th annual Backpack Heroes campaign, which addresses weekend childhood hunger in the Capital Region. The campaign raised more than $110,000, bringing its 7-year total to over $500,000. More than 3,000 students have received backpacks full of nutritious food.

  • School Supply Giveaway at The Strong Museum

Fidelis Care and The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester held a back-to-school event at the museum. Fidelis Care gave away hundreds of backpacks and other school supplies to families in need as they prepared for the start of school.

  • Adopt a Family program at The State Fair

Fidelis Care continued our support of the New York State Fair’s Adopt a Family program, which provides local, low-income families with free admission to the fair as well as food and entertainment vouchers. This summer, 1,800 people were able to attend the Fair in Syracuse through the program. 

 

These positive initiatives brought improved health and well-being throughout New York, while allowing Fidelis Care to support and build meaningful relationships within the communities we serve. These connections and grassroots initiatives remain a priority for Fidelis Care for 2023 and beyond.

 

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 2.5 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, 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).


2022 Year in Review: Fidelis Care Helps Members and Local Communities Address Health Challenges across the State
1/23/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Corporate News, In The Community, Social Determinants of Health

In 2022, communities across New York continued to experience health and wellness challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic; social determinants of health (SDoH), such as food insecurity and affordable housing; mental health issues; and much more. Through it all, statewide health plan Fidelis Care partnered with a variety of providers and agencies to support local communities through grassroots programs and events, education, and action.

Fidelis Care worked with over 1,700 organizations and coordinated more than 3,500 events – all a reflection of the company’s mission to transform communities, one person at a time. Recognizing the impact of SDoH, for example, Fidelis Care expanded support and took action to empower and uplift communities through health and wellness initiatives addressing critical areas such as access to vaccines, early childhood literacy, Black maternal health, transportation, healthy nutrition, and more.

“Across the state, we came together with partners, providers, and local leaders to provide support for local residents where it was needed most,” said Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer Vincent Marchello, MD. “We worked to address critical health challenges and provide solutions that would make a difference in the lives of those most in need. I’m proud of all that we accomplished and know our commitment to support the health and wellness of all New Yorkers will continue as we look to the coming year.”

 

Key community initiatives for Fidelis Care in 2022 included:

  • Standing With Buffalo

In the wake of the tragic shooting at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo on May 14, Fidelis Care mobilized to help the community and meet the needs of its members and local residents. Fidelis Care donated over $11,000 of food, personal care items, formula, and diapers to residents affected by the tragedy. In the fall, Fidelis Care donated $60,000 of free bus passes for residents in East Buffalo to improve their access to transportation and quality of life. The bus passes were available to community members through the Resource Council of WNY from September through December.

  • Diversity Through Literacy

Fidelis Care partnered with Literacy Inc. in New York City to promote early literacy and foster diverse representation in children’s literature. Fidelis Care donated more than 1,000 books that featured stories representing racial diversity.

  • Veggies to Go

In August, Fidelis Care launched a new initiative to help address food insecurity in low-income neighborhoods. Through key partnerships and working with local farmers, Fidelis Care provided more than 21,000 pounds of free fruits and vegetables to residents during several events across the state. 

  • Backpack Heroes

Fidelis Care partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and CBS-affiliate WRGB-6 in Albany for the 7th annual Backpack Heroes campaign, which addresses weekend childhood hunger in the Capital Region. The campaign raised more than $110,000, bringing its 7-year total to over $500,000. More than 3,000 students have received backpacks full of nutritious food.

  • School Supply Giveaway at The Strong Museum

Fidelis Care and The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester held a back-to-school event at the museum. Fidelis Care gave away hundreds of backpacks and other school supplies to families in need as they prepared for the start of school.

  • Adopt a Family program at The State Fair

Fidelis Care continued our support of the New York State Fair’s Adopt a Family program, which provides local, low-income families with free admission to the fair as well as food and entertainment vouchers. This summer, 1,800 people were able to attend the Fair in Syracuse through the program. 

 

These positive initiatives brought improved health and well-being throughout New York, while allowing Fidelis Care to support and build meaningful relationships within the communities we serve. These connections and grassroots initiatives remain a priority for Fidelis Care for 2023 and beyond.

 

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 2.5 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance.

Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, 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).