Member
Providers
Shop For a Plan

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:


National Immunization Awareness Month


August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of getting vaccines.

Vaccines help protect against serious illnesses. They also help to reduce the spread of diseases. Stay up to date with your vaccines to stay in good health and protect those around you. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting the appropriate vaccines.


Immunizations for Children

Vaccinations help protect children from serious diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. Vaccines are safe and effective, and do not cause autism. Millions of children safely receive vaccines each year. Ask your child’s pediatrician about the vaccinations they need. Ask your child’s pediatrician about catching up on missed vaccinations. Your child isn’t fully vaccinated against a disease until they get all recommended doses.

Remember, children in New York State going to public, private, and religious schools, pre-K, and day care must get vaccinated. Your child’s pediatrician will make sure your child has the vaccines required for school.

Your child’s annual visit is the perfect time to ask questions about vaccinations.


Immunizations for Adolescent Children (11-12 year olds)

  • Meningococcal Vaccine: This vaccine protects against bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood infections. These infections are rare, but they can be very dangerous. Teens also need a second shot of the meningococcal vaccine when they turn 16.
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: The Tdap vaccine is the best way to protect preteens and teens from getting pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The coughing can be severe. It can cause preteens and teens to miss school, sports, and activities. In infants, whooping cough spreads easily and can be deadly.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: The HPV vaccine protects against most HPV infections that can lead to cancer. The vaccine cannot cause HPV infection or cancer.


Routine Immunizations for Children and Adults

  • COVID-19 vaccine
  • Flu vaccine (influenza)
  • Tdap vaccine (includes tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td vaccine (tetanus and diphtheria)


Additional Vaccines for Older Adults

  • Shingles vaccine (zoster): Get this vaccine at age 50. It prevents shingles and the most common complication, post-herpetic neuralgia.
  • Pneumococcal vaccine: Get this vaccine at age 65. It protects against various infections, including pneumonia, and is particularly important for individuals with certain medical conditions.

Immunizations for Pregnant People

If you are pregnant, it is important to be up to date on your vaccines. This will help protect you and your child from serious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant individuals get vaccines during every pregnancy:

  • Flu vaccine. If you are pregnant during flu season, getting the flu vaccine can protect you and your baby for several months after birth from flu-related complications.
  • Tdap vaccine. You can get the Tdap vaccine at any time during pregnancy. The CDC recommends getting the Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, to protect yourself and your baby from pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
  • RSV vaccine. People who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January should get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies. RSV season can vary around the country.

Schedule an appointment to get your vaccines by visiting your PCP or pharmacy. Find a location near you at www.fideliscare.org/findadoctor or www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.


National Immunization Awareness Month


August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of getting vaccines.

Vaccines help protect against serious illnesses. They also help to reduce the spread of diseases. Stay up to date with your vaccines to stay in good health and protect those around you. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting the appropriate vaccines.


Immunizations for Children

Vaccinations help protect children from serious diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. Vaccines are safe and effective, and do not cause autism. Millions of children safely receive vaccines each year. Ask your child’s pediatrician about the vaccinations they need. Ask your child’s pediatrician about catching up on missed vaccinations. Your child isn’t fully vaccinated against a disease until they get all recommended doses.

Remember, children in New York State going to public, private, and religious schools, pre-K, and day care must get vaccinated. Your child’s pediatrician will make sure your child has the vaccines required for school.

Your child’s annual visit is the perfect time to ask questions about vaccinations.


Immunizations for Adolescent Children (11-12 year olds)

  • Meningococcal Vaccine: This vaccine protects against bacteria that can cause meningitis and blood infections. These infections are rare, but they can be very dangerous. Teens also need a second shot of the meningococcal vaccine when they turn 16.
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine: The Tdap vaccine is the best way to protect preteens and teens from getting pertussis, also known as whooping cough. The coughing can be severe. It can cause preteens and teens to miss school, sports, and activities. In infants, whooping cough spreads easily and can be deadly.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: The HPV vaccine protects against most HPV infections that can lead to cancer. The vaccine cannot cause HPV infection or cancer.


Routine Immunizations for Children and Adults

  • COVID-19 vaccine
  • Flu vaccine (influenza)
  • Tdap vaccine (includes tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough) or Td vaccine (tetanus and diphtheria)


Additional Vaccines for Older Adults

  • Shingles vaccine (zoster): Get this vaccine at age 50. It prevents shingles and the most common complication, post-herpetic neuralgia.
  • Pneumococcal vaccine: Get this vaccine at age 65. It protects against various infections, including pneumonia, and is particularly important for individuals with certain medical conditions.

Immunizations for Pregnant People

If you are pregnant, it is important to be up to date on your vaccines. This will help protect you and your child from serious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant individuals get vaccines during every pregnancy:

  • Flu vaccine. If you are pregnant during flu season, getting the flu vaccine can protect you and your baby for several months after birth from flu-related complications.
  • Tdap vaccine. You can get the Tdap vaccine at any time during pregnancy. The CDC recommends getting the Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, to protect yourself and your baby from pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
  • RSV vaccine. People who are 32 through 36 weeks pregnant during September through January should get one dose of maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies. RSV season can vary around the country.

Schedule an appointment to get your vaccines by visiting your PCP or pharmacy. Find a location near you at www.fideliscare.org/findadoctor or www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.