Sunshine Health Announces Donation of 400 Tablets to Substance Abuse Treatment Centers across Florida

Tablets to help virtually connect patients to care during pandemic

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Mar 08, 2021, 07:00 ET

TAMPA, Fla., March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sunshine Health – one of the largest healthcare plans in Florida – announced its affiliate Staywell Health Plan donated 400 computer tablets to substance abuse treatment centers across Florida. The donation helps virtually connect patients and families to needed healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employee at Operation PAR in Pinellas County unpack tablets, which will be used to stay in touch with patients during the pandemic.

The donation provides tablets to 16 treatment centers that are supporting clients suffering from addictions. The centers will use the tablets to provide services to clients, families, and communities at a time when many are delaying medical attention because of concerns about COVID-19.

"Substance abuse treatment providers are doing such valuable work during the pandemic, and they have had to figure out how to provide services for those who are unable to come into their buildings for face-to-face treatment," said Carole Matyas, Vice President of Operations for Staywell Health Plan. "We recognize this need and stepped in to help."

Each treatment center has wide latitude in deciding how to use the tablets to strengthen their communications with clients to improve community health. For example, Operation Par in Pinellas County, is using its 50 tablets to safely communicate with clients during this challenging time.

"We have seen firsthand the increases in substance use disorders and behavioral health issues during the pandemic, and the needs of our clients have equally increased," said Michele Russell, Chief Information Officer for Boley Centers/Operation Par. "Having this wonderful donation will continue to enhance the services we are able to provide."

The following substance abuse treatment centers received donated tablets:

Provider	City
Better Way of Miami	Miami
Bridges International	Orlando
Broward Addiction Recovery Center BARC	Fort Lauderdale
DACCO Behavioral Health, Inc.	Tampa
DISC Village, Inc.	Tallahassee
Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County	Delray Beach
Drug Abuse Treatment Association	Jupiter
First Step of Sarasota, Inc.	Sarasota
Gateway Community Services	Jacksonville
Operation PAR	Largo
Phoenix House of Florida	Brandon
Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare	Yulee
Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare	St. Cloud
WestCare Florida/ The Village South	Pembroke Pines
The Grove	Orlando
Central Florida Recovery Center	Orlando

Sunshine Health strongly believes in supporting local organizations that provide healthcare, education, food assistance, and other programs to improve social determinants of health.

To learn more about Sunshine Health, visit https://www.sunshinehealth.com/.

About Sunshine Health
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale and with offices across the state, Sunshine Health is among the largest healthcare plans in Florida. Offering coordinated care and a network of support for our members, Sunshine Health is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. Sunshine Health is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a diversified, multi-national healthcare enterprise. We offer government-sponsored managed care through Medicaid, Long Term Care, the Health Insurance Marketplace (Ambetter) and Medicare (Allwell). Sunshine Health is now affiliated with WellCare Health Plan's Florida health plans, including Staywell Health Plan and WellCare of Florida Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Our specialty plans include the Child Welfare Specialty Plan serving children in or adopted from the state's Child Welfare system; and the Staywell Specialty Health Plan for people living with serious mental illness. Additionally, WellCare operates Children's Medical Services Health Plan on behalf of the Florida Department of Health, serving children and adolescents with special healthcare needs.

For more information, visit SunshineHealth.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SunHealthFL.

SOURCE Sunshine Health