CVS Health and Easterseals Celebrate Ten Years of Partnership to Support our Nation's Young Children on Their Path to Better Health

Investment assures families have access to Easterseals' early childhood services nationwide

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Aug 24, 2016, 07:00 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Through investments of more than $1.5 million in early childhood services at Easterseals in the past decade, CVS Health has been instrumental in assuring tens of thousands of young children get the best possible start in life.

The company's latest contribution of $215,000 to Easterseals will support early intervention services at 11 Easterseals locations across the country. Funds will also enhance resources for families available through Easterseals' Make the First Five Count initiative, including a free online screening tool to assure the children they love are achieving important developmental milestones in the important first five years.

"Early intervention services have proven to be crucial to the healthy development of infants and toddlers with special needs—minimizing their potential for developmental delays and long-term costs for families down the road," said Katy Neas, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Easterseals. "Broadening the reach of early intervention services creates a lasting impact to the families we serve. Nearly half of the children who receive early intervention services leave the program functioning at their age level and do not need special education in kindergarten. "

An estimated 13% of children under the age of three have delays that make them eligible for early intervention services, yet less than 3% receive services. CVS Health and Easterseals are committed to ensuring these underserved children have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

"For a decade, we have proudly supported Easterseals in delivering exceptional services and support to young children and their families in our local communities," said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy, CVS Health. "Our company's purpose is to help people on their path to better health. We understand that path starts in the earliest years of life."

Easterseals affiliates receiving support from the CVS Health gift for early intervention services include:

Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley (IL)
Easterseals Florida
Easterseals Greater Houston (TX)
Easterseals Michigan
Easterseals Midwest (Missouri)
Easterseals Nevada
Easterseals North Georgia
Easterseals North Texas
Easterseals Southern California
Easterseals Southwest Human Development (Arizona)

All parents, no matter their location, can monitor their child's development by visiting makethefirstfivecount.org to take the free online screening tool.

About Easterseals:

For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families facing disability. Through its work in communities across America, Easterseals is changing the way the world defines and views disability by making profound, positive differences in people's lives every day. Join us as we take on disability together at www.easterseals.com

About CVS Health:

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

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SOURCE Easterseals