Blue Fund Awards $460,000 to Capital Region Organizations
Grants support initiatives that improve Key Community Health Outcomes
Latham, NY — BlueShield of Northeastern New York has awarded $460,000 in grants to three major health-based projects across the Capital Region that will have a positive impact on behavioral health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, health-care workforce development and healthy children.
These grants follow a $327,000 investment from the Blue Fund in 2018 that supported two organizations and projects that have already benefitted the community, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady “Positive Behavioral Invention Services Program” and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County “Supporting Healthy Youth and Families Initiative.”
“As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, we’re committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen and enrich our community,” said David W. Anderson, BlueShield of Northeastern New York president and CEO. “The Capital Region has already seen positive and tangible health outcomes from last year’s Blue Fund grant recipients, and we know that this year’s grants will only further that impact.”
BlueShield launched the Blue Fund in July 2018 to support organizations and initiatives that work collaboratively to address key health areas and demonstrate enhanced measurable outcomes for the community.
These grants were awarded in addition to the health plan’s current corporate partnerships and sponsorships, which saw investments of more than $300,000 in Northeastern New York in 2018.
Below are the recipients of the 2019 Blue Fund awards:
Albany County Department of Health Amount Awarded: $150,000
Project: Developing Community Partnerships to Prevent Diabetes
Purpose: This program will help reduce the number of residents with prediabetes while addressing health equity issues. Using the Four Pillars of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, this initiative makes it easier for people with prediabetes to access evidence-based and affordable lifestyle change programs. The Albany County Department of Health and community partners will implement strategies and contribute resources.
Focus areas: diabetes
Coarc Amount Awarded: $185,000
Project: Weaving Wellness
Purpose: This program will expand opportunities for staff development, enhance benefits, promote wellness, and empower people with disabilities to participate in and contribute to their communities. Employees will also have access to free virtual behavioral health services to help balance work-life challenges. These wellness spaces and class offerings will further educate and empower employees and individuals while building relationships.
Focus areas: health care workforce development; behavioral health
The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Amount Awarded: $125,000
Project: Spur of the Saranac River Trail Greenway
Purpose: This project will include a series of public outdoor physical activity stations that will also serve mental, emotional, and behavioral clients of Behavioral Health Services North program. Construction will also take place on a fenced-in soccer field that will be used as a skating rink in the winter.
Focus areas: cardiovascular health; behavioral health; diabetes; healthy children
To learn more about Blue Fund, visit www.bsneny.com/bluefund.
About BlueShield of Northeastern New York
BlueShield of Northeastern New York is a division of HealthNow New York Inc., an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. Since 1946, BlueShield has helped millions of people lead healthier lives. BlueShield offers a full range of insured, self-insured, and government programs and services covering businesses, families, and individuals, as well as life and disability coverage, dental and vision plans and stop-loss coverage. As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, BlueShield contributes significantly to organizations that promote physical health, community health and our region’s health.
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About Blue Fund
Blue Fund, funded solely by BlueShield of Northeastern New York, awards major grants in the Capital Region, totaling approximately $100,000 to $500,000, annually, to organizations and initiatives that have a positive impact on key health areas and will demonstrate enhanced measurable outcomes for community health metrics. These include behavioral health, cardiovascular health, diabetes, health care workforce development, healthy children and the opioid epidemic. Blue Fund complements BlueShield's current corporate giving program of partnerships and sponsorships which saw community investments of more than $300,000 in Northeastern New York in 2018.