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:

National Health Center Week: Celebrating Heroes of Healthcare

8/2/2023 • Posted by Fidelis Care in In The Community

As a health insurance company committed to providing access to quality, affordable healthcare, Fidelis Care is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week from August 6 to 12. This annual event honors the vital role that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) play in improving the health and well-being of underserved communities. During this week, we express our gratitude to the doctors and staff who work tirelessly to bridge the healthcare gap and ensure no one is left behind.

Federally Qualified Health Centers are community-based clinics that receive federal funding to deliver comprehensive primary care services in medically underserved areas. These centers serve as a lifeline for millions of individuals and families, including the uninsured and underinsured, homeless populations, and those living in rural or isolated regions. By removing barriers to access and providing affordable healthcare services, FQHCs address critical health disparities and promote preventive care, ultimately reducing the burden on emergency departments and hospital admissions.

FQHCs offer a wide range of services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical care. Their patient-centered approach ensures that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, receives compassionate and culturally competent care. They also partner with local organizations to enhance the overall well-being of their patients by offering nutrition workshops, education programs, and support for chronic disease management.

As National Health Center Week unfolds, we celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions of Federally Qualified Health Centers. By acknowledging their impact and pledging our support, we move closer to achieving health equity for all. Together, we can create a healthier future.

Fidelis Care is pleased to participate in several events across New York State celebrating National Health Center Week. Come visit us at one in your community:

Harmony Health - Westbury
682 Union Boulevard, Westbury, NY 11590
Wednesday, August 9, 1-4 PM

Harmony Health - Roosevelt
380 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, NY 11575
Thursday, August 10, Noon-3 PM

The Community Health Center of Richmond
235 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302
Monday August 7, Noon-3 PM

Westchester Community Health Center – Greenburgh
295 Knollwood Road, White Plains, NY 10607
Wednesday, August 9, 10 AM–3 PM

Westchester Community Health Center – Yonkers
30 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701
Thursday, August 10, 10 AM–3 PM

Westchester Community Health Center – Mount Vernon
107 West 4th Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Friday, August 11, 10 AM–3 PM

Sun River Health Center – Peekskill
1037 Main Street, Peekskill, NY 10566
Friday, August 11, 11 AM–4 PM

Morris Heights Health Center
85 West Burnside Ave, Bronx, NY 10453
Wednesday, August 9 and Thursday, August 10, 11 AM–4 PM

Charles B. Wang Health Center – Flushing
136-26 37th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354
Saturday, August 12, 10 AM–3 PM

Charles B. Wang Health Center - Manhattan
Sara D. Roosevelt Park (Grand and Chrystie Streets)
Saturday, August 5, 10 AM-3 PM

Hometown HealthFest 2023
1044 State Street Schenectady, NY 12307
Thursday, August 10, Noon–3 PM

Columbia Memorial Hospital Medical Office
71 Prospect Avenue, Suite 130, Hudson, NY 12534
Wednesday, August 9, 10:00AM-1:00PM

Alice Hyde Medical Center (Lobby)
133 Park Street, Malone, NY 12953
Monday, August 7, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Greene Medical Arts
159 Jefferson Heights, Suite D-201 Catskill, NY 12414
Thursday, August 10, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Irongate Family Practice
3 Irongate Center, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Monday, August 7, 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Syracuse Community Health Center
1938 E Fayette St #2, Syracuse, NY 13210
Saturday, August 12, 10 AM-2 PM

East Hill Family Medical
Market Street Park
23 Market Street Auburn, NY 13021
Thursday, August 10, 12:30 PM-1:30 PM

Rochester Regional Health
International Plaza 828 N. Clinton Ave. Rochester, NY 14605
Wednesday, August 9, 3 PM-6 PM

Oak Orchard Health
7309 Seneca Rd. N., Hornell, NY 14843
Wednesday, August 9, 10 AM-2 PM

Oak Orchard Health
300 West Ave.Brockport NY 14420
Wednesday, August 9, 10 AM-2 PM

Oak Orchard Health
301 West Ave. Albion, NY 14411
Monday, August 7, 9 AM-2 PM

Oak Orchard Health
911 W. Center St. Medina, NY 14103
Monday, August 7, 11 AM-3 PM

Oak Orchard Health
81 South Main St. Warsaw, NY 14569
Tuesday, August 8, 9 AM-1 PM

Oak Orchard Health
319 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020
Wednesday, August 9, 9 AM-1 PM

Oak Orchard Health
860 Main Rd. Corfu, NY 14036
Wednesday, August 9, 11 AM-3 PM

Oak Orchard Health
3384 Church St. Alexander, NY 14005
Friday, August 11, 10 AM-2P M

Chautauqua Center
704 Central Ave, Dunkirk, NY 14048
Tuesday, August 8, 10 AM-1 PM

Chautauqua Center
10th and Washington St, Jamestown, NY 14701
Thursday, August 10, 10 AM-1 PM

Community Health Center of Buffalo
34 Benwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214
Wednesday, August 9, Noon-4 PM

Community Health Center of Niagara
2715 Highland Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Saturday, August 12. Noon-4 PM

Neighborhood Health Center

• Blasdell – 4233 Lake Avenue, Blasdell
• Mattina – 300 Niagara Street, Buffalo
• Northwest – 155 Lawn Avenue, Buffalo
• Riverway – 1569 Niagara Street, Buffalo
Wednesday, August 9, 10 AM-2 PM

Sun River Health
501 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772
Friday, August 11, 11 AM-4 PM

Ryan Chelsea Clinton Community Health Center
645 10^th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Friday, August 11, 10 AM–4 PM