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:

Start the new year off right! Fidelis Care’s medical directors share wellness and lifestyle tips and offered advice for a healthy 2024.

1/3/2024 • Posted by Fidelis Care in Health and Wellness

healty new year

Dr. Vincent Marchello:
It is important to get a checkup every year, so your primary care provider (PCP) can see any changes in your health and help you develop a plan that’s right for you. During your checkup, you can also ask your PCP any questions you may have. This will mark the ‘starting point’ of your health journey for the year.

Dr. Nicole Belanger-Reynolds:
Do not forget to eat breakfast, drink more water, and choose nutritious meals with more protein and fiber and less saturated fat, sugar, and calories.

Dr. Steve Materetsky:
Just because the calendar is changing, it does not mean flu season is over! In fact, flu season peaks in January and February. It is never too late to get your flu vaccine and protect yourself. Ask your provider about the flu vaccine, along with COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.

Dr. Sharon McLaughlin:
Embrace the power of saying "no." Saying "no" is an important way to establish and keep boundaries. It is important to be able to focus on your own needs and limits. By saying "no" when necessary, you protect your energy, time, and well-being. This doesn't mean you are uncooperative. It is about being honest about your limits and comfort levels. It is a form of self-care and respect for yourself and others.

Dr. Lisa Moreno:
The importance of handwashing is simple, but it goes a long way to help prevent illness. Wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, or coughing or sneezing.

Dr. Patrice Reives-Bright:
Consider healthy ways to reduce stress by engaging in self-care. Activities like going for a walk, meditation, connecting with others, and practicing gratitude can help promote mental and physical wellness.

Dr. Thomas Raskauskas:
Make sure to keep up with your preventive health screenings, such as mammograms, cervical cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, and others, as recommended by your provider. Remember, early detection saves lives! For age-specific preventive health screenings, click here.

Dr. Camille Pearte:
Do not smoke or use any tobacco products. Every year in New York state, smoking kills 21,000 adults. Another 1,400 New Yorkers die every year from exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke. No matter your age or how long you have been smoking, quitting improves both your short- and long-term health.

These tips are a great way to kick off a healthy new year. Always talk to your provider before starting a diet or exercise plan. We wish you a happy 2024!