ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing that mentors can positively influence at-risk children, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG), announced today it invested $2,500 in The Dukes Foundation, an Atlanta youth mentoring service organization, to support its Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program.

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Research shows that mentoring is correlated with positive outcomes, including changing attitudes, better behavior, and higher academic performance and educational aspirations.

The Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program, which will educate and inspire children to eat healthier, is included in the Dukes Foundation's mentoring curriculum. Other areas of the mentoring curriculum include enhancing academic attitude and performance, providing peer and social skills, developing and mentoring lifelong learners, cultivating personal growth and creativity, providing opportunities for leadership and community services, and nourishing psychological and physical wellness.

"One out of three children and adolescents in the U.S. is overweight or obese and lacks good oral health care putting them at risk for serious health problems," said Horace Dukes, CEO of The Dukes Foundation. "Educating and inspiring our youth to develop lifelong, healthy habits are at the core of what we aim to do through this program. We thank WellCare of Georgia for supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children."

"WellCare of Georgia realizes that the social safety net is critical to obtaining positive health outcomes for our members and those who live in their communities," said Veatrice Futch, supervisor of community advocacy, WellCare of Georgia. "The Dukes Foundation's wellness and health program is a worthy community investment that can bring measurable improvements to the health and well-being of children."

For more information on The Dukes Foundation call 404-419-6452 or visit http://www.dukesfoundation.org.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, WellCare serves approximately 585,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan members, 36,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 22,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how we care for Georgians watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.

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 Dec. 31, 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.

About Dukes Foundation
THE DUKES FOUNDATION (CORPORATION), is an accredited 501 ©(3) Nonprofit Service Organization that offers an effective mentoring program on a regular basis through support obtained from Professional, Business and Civic Organizations. Their mentoring program includes; Academic Coaching, Career Development Workshops, Wellness Sessions, Cultural Exposure Tours and Motivational Exercises that have contributed to the transformation of many lives. Bearing the acronym, D.U.K.E.S, Developing Urban Kids with Etiquette and Self-Esteem, DUKES FOUNDATION remain committed to using MENTORING to elevate social conditions and reduce the level of violence committed by teens.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.