'Ohana Health Plan and the Centene Foundation Award Grant to Hawai'i Island Community Health Center to Expand Healthcare Access

The $550,000 grant will fund a mobile health clinic for underserved students

KAILUA-KONA, Hawai'i, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ohana Health Plan, a leading provider of government-sponsored managed care services in Hawai'i and the Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC), announced today a $550,000 grant award to Hawai'i Island Community Health Center (HICHC), a nonprofit community health center supporting lifelong health and wellness through quality healthcare. The grant will expand access to essential health services for students in underserved areas. Over two years, funds will support HICHC's "Gateway to Health" project, providing a new mobile health clinic to expand school-based health services for children in rural Hawai'i Island.  

"The Gateway to Health initiative is an exciting step toward ensuring that all students, no matter where they live, have the health support they need to succeed," said HICHC Director of School-Based Health Cecilia Sakata. "Thanks to this generous funding from 'Ohana Health Plan and the Centene Foundation, we will be able to expand our reach and serve even more students who may otherwise lack access to critical health services. We believe that when keiki have access to care, they're better able to focus on their studies and grow into healthy, resilient individuals."

The mobile health clinic will expand the School-Based Health Centers' (SBHC) reach allowing HICHC to serve rural areas. Many of these areas lack easy access to healthcare or a physical space for a school-based clinic. By driving out to these communities, the mobile health clinic will bring medical, dental, and mental health services directly to students. This approach helps meet the state health requirements, fostering a healthier school environment, reducing absenteeism, and enhancing academic performance.

"We are proud to support HICHC and their mission to improve the lives of children in our rural communities," said Scott Sivik, Plan President and Chief Executive Officer of 'Ohana Health Plan. "This grant will make a profound and lasting impact by equipping students with the essential tools they need to stay healthy and excel academically. 'Ohana Health Plan and the Centene Foundation are committed to innovative solutions like the Gateway to Health initiative, which will empower students and foster healthier communities."

HICHC currently operates SBHCs across five locations on Hawai'i Island, serving eight schools. These facilities offer students a direct, accessible way to receive care from doctors, dentists, and behavioral health specialists right at school. By offering on-site services, SBHCs help eliminate barriers to care, including transportation and time constraints, while addressing health disparities that impact academic success and lifelong wellness. The program also aims to reduce the burden on families, helping them avoid missed work and transportation challenges, while reducing long-term healthcare costs for the community.

The mobile health clinic is expected to be operational by the start of the 2025-2026 school year. For more information about Hawai'i Island Community Health Center, School-Based Health Centers, and The Gateway to Health project, please visit https://www.hicommunityhealthcenter.org/.

About Hawai'i Island Community Health Center

Hawai'i Island Community Health Center's mission is to provide quality, comprehensive, and integrated health care services that are accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

Hawai'i Island Community Health Center is one of the largest Federally Qualified Health Centers in the State of Hawai'i, employing over 400 health care professionals and support staff, serving 40,000 residents over 14 locations island-wide.

About 'Ohana Health Plan

'Ohana Health Plan provides government-sponsored managed care services to families – from keiki to kupuna – and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (Wellcare), and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Wellcare) across the state. 'Ohana Health Plan is a Centene Corporation company, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information, please visit www.ohanahealthplan.com.

About Centene Foundation

The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) ("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social determinants of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.

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SOURCE Centene Corporation