As a Medicaid managed care provider for Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS), UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio coordinates health care and benefits for more than 10,000 children living in Ohio, including hundreds who are currently in foster care. This perspective into the needs of foster children and their families has inspired UnitedHealthcare to provide services and experiences that go beyond health care.
One such experience allows hundreds of foster children, their families and mentors to experience Ohio State football and basketball games for the first time.
“UnitedHealthcare donates these game tickets, and otherwise our youth may not have the opportunity to experience the excitement of a collegiate game – something that may spark interest in the college experience and make it a bit more tangible,” said Charles Cochran, Franklin County Children’s Services college bound mentoring coordinator.
Additionally, fulfilled a need for youth who are transitioning from the foster care system into independent living. Often times, these youth would benefit from care bags filled with necessary supplies. UnitedHealthcare and its employees teamed up to donate and deliver hundreds of care bags filled with ear buds, snacks, toiletries, blankets and school supplies.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed by FCCS. Amy Swanson, vice president with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, recently accepted the Community Advocate Award from FCCS at their annual Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast.
“With increasingly more children being taken into custody because their families are struggling with addiction issues, we need to rally and direct our resources to ensure that we have supportive caregivers and mentors to take care of these young people while their families recover,” Swanson said.