WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) announced today that it has given $5,000 in micro-grants to five community-based nonprofit and 501(c)(3) organizations that address homelessness and physical and mental illness and provide services to empower low-income individuals and families in Kansas. The micro-grants were given in denominations of $1,000.
"In order to support the best health outcomes possible, medical and social needs must be met," said Danny Maxson, a senior manager of advocacy development at WellCare. "These micro-grants will help to sustain Kansas' social safety net, which is critical to ensuring that people get the resources and services they need to get and stay healthy."
WellCare micro-grants were awarded to the following agencies:
Community-Based Organization Program Highlights
---------------------------- ------------------
Wichita Public Schools The grant supports "Magical
Connections" by the McKinney-Vento
program, which helps more than 1,200
homeless children in the district
and their families connect to
services to assist them with
employment, health, and other
resources.
Wichita, Kansas
http://www.usd259.org/
----------------------
Avenue of Life Avenue of Life mobilizes the
community to equip and empower low-
income individuals and families to
be self-sustained and independent.
It operates an equipping center in
Kansas City that provides a range of
programs and services designed to
meet the emotional, mental, physical
and spiritual needs of families
throughout the urban core of Kansas
City.
Kansas City, Kansas
http://www.avenueoflife.org/
----------------------------
Community Action Program, Inc. The Community Action Program carries
out its anti-poverty mission by
providing resources that help
families and communities. Examples
of support include a food program
for in-home childcare providers,
housing support and weatherization
assistance to help families reduce
utility costs.
Topeka, Kansas
http://www.wefightpoverty.org/
------------------------------
Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas Developmental Services of Northwest
Kansas partners with communities to
remove barriers for those with
physical or development
disabilities. It assists clients and
their families to locate available
resources and services, and offers
its own unique services such as day-
service programs and employment
training and placement.
Hays, Kansas
https://www.dsnwk.org
---------------------
Central Kansas Dream Center The Dream Center provides human
services that address immediate and
long-term needs in the areas of
homelessness, hunger relief, life-
controlling issues and education.
Among other programs, it operates
the Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen and
the Daniel R. Trickey Life Giving
Center, a transitional housing
shelter for women.
Great Bend, Kansas
http://www.centralksdreamcenter.org/
------------------------------------
"The McKinney-Vento program was excited to host its first resource fair for families with children in Wichita Public Schools and is thankful for WellCare's support," said Cynthia Martinez, McKinney-Vento liaison. "The Magical Connections resource fair hosted vendors, activities, clothing and other giveaway items for children and young people who are homeless or living in hotels or motels."
"Thanks to the generosity of WellCare, Avenue of Life will be able to provide transformative wrap-around services for more than 250 homeless families living in the urban core of Kansas City," said Desiree Monize, executive director, Avenue of Life.
"With WellCare's support, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas will be able to launch a therapy program for individuals with both dementia and intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Gerard L. Michaud, president and CEO of Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas. "We want to thank WellCare for helping us to enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in rural Kansas."
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. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2016. 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.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wellcare-gives-5000-in-micro-grants-to-community-based-organizations-in-kansas-300388379.html
SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
