Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare Awards $110,000 to Fund Pawnee County Parish Program Aimed at Improving Rural Health

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare announced that it is awarding a $110,000 Improving Health in Rural Counties grant to the Center for Counseling & Consultation (The Center) and the Pawnee County Health Department. Centene Corporation's national behavioral health specialty company, Cenpatico, supported the Foundation's efforts to identify an innovative program in Kansas that supports transforming the health of rural communities, through individual focus and active local involvement.

The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare was formed in 2004 to improve the quality of healthcare for medically underserved individuals and families and economically distressed areas. The Foundation supports Centene's purpose to transform the health of the community. Over the years, the Foundation's funding projects have included obesity, school-based health clinics, disparities in mental health among black women and education and outreach related to public health programs such as Medicaid.

"The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare strongly believes in investing in our communities, especially those communities that are challenged around delivery of care," said Kathy Bradley-Wells, President, Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare. "Centene believes we have a responsibility to remove barriers and make it easier to get well, receive access to services and strengthen our communities. We look forward to working with Pawnee County, who is aware of these challenges first hand."

"The team at Sunflower Health Plan is thankful for the exceptional service and care these two providers have delivered to our members, and we are excited about the additional outcomes to be achieved through this grant from the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare. The citizens of Kansas will benefit from the innovative and collaborative approach The Center and Pawnee County Health Department have developed for improving behavioral health services in Central Kansas," said Chris Coffey, President and CEO of Sunflower Health Plan, Centene Corporation's Kansas-based subsidiary.

The Center and the Pawnee County Health Department were awarded $110,000 for coordination of County Health Departments and Court Services/Community Corrections Programs of Central Kansas (Barton, Pawnee, Rice, and Stafford counties). These partners developed a program aimed at promoting public awareness for the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorder and access to local behavioral health resources and services; and broadening access through technological solutions, including telemedicine.

"We want to thank the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare for giving us the opportunity to better educate the citizens of Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford Counties about the importance mental health plays in their overall well-being. The Center for Counseling & Consultation strongly believes that addressing mental health and addiction concerns early leads to healthier and happier lives," said Douglas W. McNett, Executive Director, The Center for Counseling & Consultation. "We look forward to working with the Pawnee County Health Department and all of the healthcare providers and schools we serve in Central Kansas."

About The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare
The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare is a non-profit private foundation dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare in the United States. The Foundation serves as a resource to identify and support innovative approaches to improving and increasing the quality of and access to healthcare for low-income individuals and families. This is accomplished through an inspired philanthropic giving plan that seeks to promote efforts and activities that identify and address core causes of unequal access and treatment in healthcare. 

About Cenpatico
Cenpatico's expertise lies in managing benefits for vulnerable populations. Our healthcare specialties include behavioral health, foster care, school-based services, specialty therapy and rehabilitation and more. We have managed Medicaid and other public sector benefits since 1994; currently, we serve over 4 million members nationally. Our headquarters are in Austin, Texas and we have local teams across the country in the markets we serve. Cenpatico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation. We are committed to innovative solutions and designing programs tailored to improving functional outcomes with our members. Find us online at www.cenpatico.com.

SOURCE The Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare; Cenpatico

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