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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Fidelis Care Reinforces Importance of Dental Care for Children

3/6/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Children's Health, Corporate News

Importance-of-Dental-Health-NY-Health-Insurance-Fidelis-Care

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a yearly observance during which health professionals promote the benefits of good oral health for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases during childhood and can be harmful to children’s overall health. Educating parents and children about the importance of good dental habits can help prevent cavities and improve overall health outcomes.

“Promoting good oral hygiene is the best way to ensure children’s dental health. Regular dental checkups, along with brushing and flossing, prevent plaque, cavities, and tooth decay,” said Dr. Vincent Marchello, Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer. “It’s important for parents and guardians to take an active role in their children’s oral hygiene.”

Left untreated, cavities can lead to infections that may impact eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Children who have poor oral health often miss more school and receive lower grades than other children. Regular visits to the dentist help ensure any dental problems can be addressed early during their exam. The checkup also usually includes a cleaning and a fluoride treatment if needed.

“Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay and is very important for children. In-office fluoride treatments are recommended as soon as your child’s baby teeth erupt, which is around six months,” added Annette Maggi, DMD, FAAPD, Assistant Clinical Professor at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “Children should receive fluoride treatments regularly. And very importantly, fluoride is safe and highly effective in preventing tooth decay.”

The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is among the many excellent dental providers that treat Fidelis Care members. Fidelis Care partners with UB Dental on various outreach initiatives including their mobile dental clinic, which is committed to improving the health and well-being of Western New York’s most underserved communities.

At home, parents and guardians can follow the following advice for good oral hygiene:

For Babies:
- Begin dental hygiene as soon as possible. Before teeth even appear, a baby’s mouth should be cleaned twice a day – after first feeding and before bed – by wiping the gums with a clean washcloth to remove bacteria and sugar. Avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk. Milk or juices can pool around teeth and cause severe decay.
- Brush regularly. Once teeth come in, a baby’s teeth should be brushed twice a day with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Talk to a dentist or pediatrician 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, they should visit with a dentist to spot 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.
- Brush properly and don’t forget your tongue. Poor brushing can be just as bad as not brushing at all. Children should take their time and use gentle, circular motions as well as gently brush their tongue.
- Don’t forget to floss. Flossing once a day is a great way to stimulate the gums and reduce plaque.
- Consider using mouthwash. Mouthwash can help reduce acid in the mouth, clean hard-to-brush areas, and strengthen the teeth. A dentist can provide specific mouthwash recommendations for children.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Children should see the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and checkups. The dentist can help remove plaque and look for cavities, and spot for potential oral health issues.
For Caregivers:
- Model good brushing habits. Brush your teeth with your children to encourage proper brushing technique and habits.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Set a good example for children that highlights the importance of good dietary habits.

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) or visit fideliscare.org.