The $550,000
grant will fund a mobile health clinic for underserved
students
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai'i, Feb. 11,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ohana Health Plan, a
leading provider of government-sponsored managed care services in
Hawai'i and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm
of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), announced today a
$550,000 grant award to Hawai'i
Island Community Health Center (HICHC), a nonprofit community
health center supporting lifelong health and wellness through
quality healthcare. The grant will expand access to essential
health services for students in underserved areas. Over two years,
funds will support HICHC's "Gateway to Health" project, providing a
new mobile health clinic to expand school-based health services for
children in rural Hawai'i Island.
"The Gateway to Health initiative is an exciting step toward
ensuring that all students, no matter where they live, have the
health support they need to succeed," said HICHC Director of
School-Based Health Cecilia Sakata.
"Thanks to this generous funding from 'Ohana Health Plan and the
Centene Foundation, we will be able to expand our reach and serve
even more students who may otherwise lack access to critical health
services. We believe that when keiki have access to care, they're
better able to focus on their studies and grow into healthy,
resilient individuals."
The mobile health clinic will expand the School-Based Health
Centers' (SBHC) reach allowing HICHC to serve rural areas. Many of
these areas lack easy access to healthcare or a physical space for
a school-based clinic. By driving out to these communities, the
mobile health clinic will bring medical, dental, and mental health
services directly to students. This approach helps meet the state
health requirements, fostering a healthier school environment,
reducing absenteeism, and enhancing academic performance.
"We are proud to support HICHC and their mission to improve the
lives of children in our rural communities," said Scott Sivik, Plan President and Chief Executive
Officer of 'Ohana Health Plan. "This grant will make a profound and
lasting impact by equipping students with the essential tools they
need to stay healthy and excel academically. 'Ohana Health Plan and
the Centene Foundation are committed to innovative solutions like
the Gateway to Health initiative, which will empower students and
foster healthier communities."
HICHC currently operates SBHCs across five locations on Hawai'i
Island, serving eight schools. These facilities offer students a
direct, accessible way to receive care from doctors, dentists, and
behavioral health specialists right at school. By offering on-site
services, SBHCs help eliminate barriers to care, including
transportation and time constraints, while addressing health
disparities that impact academic success and lifelong wellness. The
program also aims to reduce the burden on families, helping them
avoid missed work and transportation challenges, while reducing
long-term healthcare costs for the community.
The mobile health clinic is expected to be operational by the
start of the 2025-2026 school year. For more information about
Hawai'i Island Community Health Center, School-Based Health
Centers, and The Gateway to Health project, please visit
https://www.hicommunityhealthcenter.org/.
About Hawai'i Island Community Health Center
Hawai'i Island Community Health Center's mission is to provide
quality, comprehensive, and integrated health care services that
are accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
Hawai'i Island Community Health Center is one of the largest
Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of Hawai'i,
employing over 400 health care professionals and support staff,
serving 40,000 residents over 14 locations island-wide.
About 'Ohana Health Plan
'Ohana Health
Plan provides government-sponsored managed care services to
families – from keiki to kupuna – and individuals with complex
medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage
(Wellcare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare) across
the state. 'Ohana Health Plan is a Centene Corporation company, a
leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live
healthier lives. For more information, please visit
www.ohanahealthplan.com.
About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private
nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged
communities, is the philanthropic arm
of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC)
("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives
strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and
enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to
wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The
Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health
and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus:
healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more,
visit the Centene Foundation's website.
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SOURCE Centene Corporation
