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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National Recovery Month: Hope Begins at CASA-Trinity

9/9/2024 • Posted by CASA-Trinity in Health and Wellness, Mental Health

September marks National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about substance use treatment and mental health services that help people live healthier lives. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that in 2021, more than 20 million Americans age 12 or older were in recovery from substance use disorders, highlighting the vital need for support and resources. This month, we honor the strength and resilience of those in recovery and the dedication of the professionals who support them.

In observance of National Recovery Month, Fidelis Care visited CASA-Trinity in Livingston County to learn more about its substance use treatment programs. We talked with Clinical Supervisor Van Pham and Peer Recovery Specialist Alyssa Sick about how they help clients on their recovery journeys.

Fidelis Care: Tell us about your role at CASA-Trinity.

Van Pham: CASA-Trinity is a facility that provides outpatient, inpatient, and residential services for people who suffer from mental health and substance use disorders. I am a clinical supervisor at CASA-Trinity and work at the Dansville outpatient clinic.

Alyssa Sick: I first came to CASA-Trinity as a client. I successfully completed my recovery program and I now work for CASA-Trinity helping people with their recovery journey.

Fidelis Care: What is your message in observance of National Recovery Month?

Van Pham: CASA-Trinity’s motto is “Hope Begins Here.” Recovery is not an easy process, so the first step is to just reach out for help.

Alyssa Sick: I want those in recovery or seeking recovery to know that you are worth it. It might seem scary as you first start, and maybe you have a lot of questions, and maybe you’re uncertain. But I do know from my experience that it is possible, that you can connect with people to get the help that you need. It just takes one simple choice. It might seem overwhelming at first, but there are people here who will help you.

Fidelis Care: What advice do you have for family members, loved ones, or friends of those in recovery or in need of services?

Van Pham: If you have a family member who is struggling, we always encourage you to call with them. We offer help for family members who are also struggling loving an addict themselves. We have several counselors and we have several resources that can help you, as well.

Alyssa Sick: I think it’s important for the family members and the friends to have support just as much as the person that’s affected. My advice is to just know it’s very difficult for both the addict and the family or the alcoholic and the family. Don’t lose hope, because even if it seems like it’s completely gone, there’s always a chance.

For help with substance use disorder recovery, contact your primary care provider. If you are a Fidelis Care member, we have resources available for you. Call us at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) TTY: 711. Use extension 16072 for Behavioral Health Services or extension 16077 to contact HealthierLife (HARP) for qualifying Medicaid Managed Care members.

Additional resources:

Fidelis Care Behavioral Health Resources

Fidelis Care HealthierLife (HARP)