WellCare Gives $20,000 in Micro-Grants to Community-Based Organizations that Support Social Service Agencies in Kentucky
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that it has given $20,000 in micro-grants to 18 community-based organizations across Kentucky. These micro-grants will support nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organizations that provide transportation, dental, vision, foster care and adoption support to Kentuckians in need. The micro-grants were given in denominations of $500, $1,000 and $1,500.
"Community-based organizations have always been vital to supporting the social safety net for the seniors, and low-income children and families that WellCare serves," said Elizabeth Starr, supervisor for WellCare of Kentucky's Community Advocacy team. "These grants focus on making small, yet important changes that can have a significant impact on the communities they serve by helping support the health and wellness of our members, their families and the community at large."
The 2015 Kentucky micro-grants were awarded to the following community-based organizations:
| Community-Based Organization |
Program Highlights |
| Association of Rescue and Intervention of Kentucky (ARIKY) Bowling Green, Kentucky |
The grant will provide transportation to medical appointments for low-income, non-native English speaking refugees.
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Berea Family Resource/Youth Services Center Berea Independent Schools Berea, Kentucky
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The grant will allow the nonprofit organization to collaborate with community health providers to obtain needed medical, dental, vision and mental health services for its community families.
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| Boulware Mission, Inc. Owensboro, Kentucky |
The grant will provide transportation for homeless individuals needing access to social service organizations and employment opportunities. |
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Care Net Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky Multiple Locations
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The grant will provide adoption services to those facing an unplanned pregnancy and to those who are not equipped to best parent a child.
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Cave Country Lions Club Cave City, Kentucky www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/cave_country
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The grant will expand its Kidsight Program, which provides eye exams and glasses, and eye surgery or treatment for injured, diseased, and underdeveloped eyesight for needy children.
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ElderServe, Inc. Louisville, Kentucky |
The grant will provide transportation to senior centers for seniors with disabilities or limited access. |
| Family Enrichment Center Bowling Green, Kentucky |
The grant will allow its associates to receive training at seminars and conferences to better aid in the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents.
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Fostering Goodwill Lexington, Kentucky
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The grant will provide appropriate support and services to foster care recipients between 18 and 24 years of age.
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Green River District Health Department Owensboro, Kentucky |
The grant will provide educational / interactive models to teach children the importance of dental hygiene. |
| ITNGreaterCincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio |
The grant will foster awareness of the need for volunteer drivers to provide transportation services to seniors and to the visually impaired.
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| Lawrence County Health Department Louisa, Kentucky www.lawrencecountyhealthdepartment.com
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The grant will improve access to preventive dental care for students in Lawrence and Martin counties.
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| Leslie Knott Letcher Perry Community Action Council Inc. Hazard, Kentucky |
The grant will provide two Q'Straint straps to approximately 75 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) vehicles for safer, smoother rides.
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| Maryhurst Louisville, Kentucky |
The grant will support the organization's teaching of Risking Connections Foster Parent module to its existing foster families and to new foster families during their pre-service training. |
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Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department Edgewood, Kentucky
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The grant will provide preventive dental services to the uninsured or under-insured children of northern Kentucky by lowering or eliminating the cost for these families.
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Purchase District Health Department - Floss & Gloss: Children's Access to Oral Health West Kentucky Paducah, Kentucky |
The grant will establish a fund to assist with transportation for low-income individuals and families to dental appointments. |
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St. John Center, Inc. Louisville, Kentucky |
The grant will provide transportation for homeless individuals needing access to social service organizations and employment opportunities. |
| Seven Counties Services, Inc. Multiple Locations in Kentucky |
The grant will provide eyeglasses and/or dentures to those in need. |
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SmileFaith Foundation (Appalachian Mountains Office) Jenkins, Kentucky
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The grant will provide low-income patients access to premium dental and medical services.
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"WellCare's micro-grant program in Kentucky is one facet of our commitment to building partnerships with community organizations that offer support in meeting basic social needs, including assistance with food, housing, transportation and dental care," said Pamme Lyons-Taylor, vice president of WellCare's Advocacy and Community Based Programs. "Grants, regardless of size, when awarded at the right time to the right organization, can be exactly what a community-based organization needs to grow in reach and make a difference. By identifying these programs, we have the opportunity to improve health care access and to enhance the health and lives of our members and communities."
"In partnership with local schools, the Northern Kentucky Health Department provides oral health screening, fluoride varnish and dental sealants to local children," stated Linda Poynter, oral health program manager for the Northern Kentucky Health Department. "The program is convenient for families because services are provided during the school day, and with grant support from WellCare and others, costs for families remain low. It is one of many ways the health department is working to reduce the incidence of tooth decay, the most common chronic condition in children. Thank you to WellCare for their continued efforts to help sustain programs such as ours."
"WellCare grant money opens up our opportunities," stated, Mary Nestor, education coordinator for the Association of Rescue and Intervention of Kentucky. "We can travel another 4,348 miles, transporting people to and from their appointments. We can help more than the approximately 30 families who have already benefited. We can replace the missing magnets used to identify ARIKY vehicles. And we can continue to refine our program to meet the needs of newcomers. The grant has reinvigorated our efforts and encouraged us to continue this important work."
As of June 30, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 429,000 Medicaid members, 7,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 21,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Kentucky. To learn more about how we care for Kentuckians, watch Brandi's story at http://youtu.be/YwOw5EgeSYo.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The Company serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of June 30, 2015. For more information about WellCare, please visit the Company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
CONTACT:
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
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