New Wellness Partnership Provides Health Resources to Residents with Special Needs

HENDERSON, N.C., Nov. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Special Olympics North Carolina and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare are teaming up to offer health, fitness and nutritional resources to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

This unique approach to integrated care promotes the importance of health screenings, relationships with primary care providers and person-centered plans.

"We are pleased to partner with Special Olympics North Carolina on this wellness initiative," said Richard Topping, CEO of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. "We are aligned in our focus on the wellbeing of special populations and we are offering this program as a resource to advance integrated, personalized care."

The wellness initiative provides free physical screenings, provider referrals, education exhibits and information to enable participants to create a personal wellness action plan to support their personal goals. 

"Educating individuals about healthy choices helps develop a foundation for positive lifestyle behaviors," says Keith Fishburne, president and CEO of Special Olympics North Carolina. "Personalized plans like these enable participants to lead healthier lives."

The partnership series kicked-off on Oct. 28 with a wellness event in Henderson. More than 70 participants attended, many coming as part of groups from local organizations such as Community Workforce Solutions, Vance County Public Schools and the Senior RAPIDD program. The Vance County Public Health Department hosted the event at their facility and their physicians and clinical staff offered free physicals, provided flu and pneumonia immunizations and referrals for those interested in appointments with area specialists.

The program provides participants with an opportunity to create a personal wellness action plan with specific steps to support their personal goals. For example, if a participant does not have a primary care physician or needs help with referral to a specialist, those appointments are arranged. Participants who would like to address their fitness or activity level can learn about local programs offered by organizations such as the parks and recreation department.  All attendees have the opportunity to receive a free health physical, which, if passed, automatically qualifies them to compete with Special Olympics North Carolina and experience the health benefits of participation in sports. For those interested in improving their nutritional profile, wellness buddies share information about portion control and healthy choices for foods and beverages.

Both Cardinal Innovations and Special Olympics North Carolina are providing wellness expertise, staff and in-kind donations as part of their partnership agreement.

Several wellness programs are scheduled in other communities for spring 2017. Long-term, Cardinal Innovations and Special Olympics North Carolina plan to offer this program state-wide.

For more information on the wellness program, contact Adam Cook at adam.cook@cardinalinnovations.org or Ellen Fahey at efahey@sonc.net.

About Cardinal Innovations Healthcare
Cardinal Innovations Healthcare is the largest specialty health plan in the country, serving 875,000 members through its Medicaid, state and county funded plans. Using a community-based model of care management, Cardinal Innovations seeks to improve the health and wellness of individuals with complex needs by collaborating with local providers and stakeholders. Recognized for operational excellence, innovative solutions and superior outcomes for members, accuracy and speed of payments to providers, and cost-effective funds management, Cardinal Innovations is a leading healthcare company in the United States. For more information, visit www.cardinalinnovations.org, our engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

About Special Olympics North Carolina
Special Olympics North Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for nearly 40,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These athletes inspire greatness through their success and provide motivation to the thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide.  SONC offers Olympic-type competition in 19 sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community. Visit Special Olympics North Carolina at www.specialolympicsnc.com. Engage with us on http://twitter.com/sonc_beafan; http://www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsNC, https://www.instagram.com/specialolympics_nc; http://www.youtube.com/BeAFanSONC.

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SOURCE Cardinal Innovations Healthcare