Promoting the Community’s Success 

WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey, Inc. Community Connections program recently announced the winners of their Community Impact Grant Awards.  WellCare, a healthcare insurance carrier for individuals and families with NJ Family Care coverage, is known for their forward-thinking programs that go beyond just healthcare coverage. One example is the WellCare Community Connections program, which offers grants to non-profit organizations focused on improving social determinants that promote health and wellness within the community’s infrastructure. About two months ago, WellCare met with representatives of many non-profit social service resource agencies that service the Lakewood community. 

The Community Impact Council initiative seeks to promote coordinated efforts among these community entities to maximize their efficiency through unified efforts and collaborative success in filling gaps in services needed by the community. During that session, WellCare also announced the availability of the Community Impact grants to help reinforce the effect that these worthy organizations are having on the fabric of the Lakewood community. 

A Difficult Decision

“Everyone on the WellCare team was impressed by the scope of entities and the altruism of the representatives we met with,” says Ms. Aviva Woog, WellCare’s Community Connections Manager. “Among such a range of organizations doing such amazing work, it was not easy to select the final recipients of our Community Impact grants.” 

One of the important factors in determining the final awardees was the specific category of services that the organizations provide. Social determinants of health that are perceived as being particularly vital or otherwise under-serviced are given greater consideration.

And the winners are…

In recognizing the need to promote women’s health and maternal health, grants were awarded to Eim Leah and WINGS for their outstanding work in servicing this crucial need.

A grant was also presented to the Regesh Network/Avnei Kodesh in recognition of their exemplary service in promoting mental health and a network of stability to adolescents and families.   

Grants were likewise allocated to the Lakewood Resource and Referral Center (LRRC) and Lakewood Community Services Corporation (LCSC) for the important role they play in making social and medical resources and services accessible to Lakewood families.   

Bringing it All Together

WellCare, a recognized national carrier with millions of members nationwide, is renowned for their trademark emphasis on investing in the health of the communities they service. As a company that facilitates access to healthcare services, WellCare appreciates the idea that a robust social services safety net is critical to positive health outcomes for the entire community. In fact, WellCare of New Jersey’s Community Connection program has already invested more than $200,000 in community-based health initiatives throughout New Jersey. 

As John Kirchner, New Jersey Plan President at WellCare expresses succinctly: “Investing in the health of the communities we serve is part of the WellCare mission.” 

Because at the end of the day, promoting the community’s overall health and well-being is in everyone’s best health interests – and that’s what WellCare is all about.