COLUMBIA, Mo. and TAMPA, Fla., June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of encouraging and educating parents and caregivers of children with autism, Missouri Care, Inc., a subsidiary of WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG), announced that it donated $2,500 to the Southwest Missouri Autism Network (SWAN) in Springfield, Missouri, through the WellCare Community Foundation.

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SWAN runs relaxed monthly meetings at the Arc of the Ozarks where families impacted by autism can explore and discuss different topics related to parenting and caring for loved ones on the spectrum. The meetings are offered at no cost.

The donation will assist SWAN in providing activities for the children while parents attend the meetings. SWAN also uses its funding to provide families with respite care and facilities for meetings and socializing.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 70 children in Missouri were identified with an autism spectrum disorder," said Lou Gianquinto, Missouri Care president. "This donation will help families receive the encouragement and resources they need to enrich the lives of their children and to help caregivers take the time to care for themselves."

"As parents of children who have autism, we often face difficult challenges in participating in many mainstream public activities and events with our children," said Annette Brandenburg, president of SWAN. "While professional services and therapies are wonderful and much needed help, with the support of community partners like Missouri Care, parents can find more resources to access enriching activities to help their children lead fuller and more meaningful lives. Our children deserve the experiences and joys common to childhood. Parents need a sense of hope, support, and encouragement. Missouri Care's generous donation will directly impact families in a positive way."

For more information about SWAN, visit http://www.swmoautismnetwork.org/

As of Dec. 31, 2015, Missouri Care and WellCare serve approximately 130,000 members in Missouri, including 114,000 MO HealthNet Managed Care (Medicaid) members and 16,000 Medicare Prescription Drug members.

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 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.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.