ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., May 2,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing that mentors can positively
influence at-risk children, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG), announced today it invested $2,500 in The Dukes Foundation, an Atlanta youth mentoring service organization,
to support its Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program.
Research shows that mentoring is correlated with positive
outcomes, including changing attitudes, better behavior, and higher
academic performance and educational aspirations.
The Youth Mentoring Wellness & Health program, which will
educate and inspire children to eat healthier, is included in the
Dukes Foundation's mentoring curriculum. Other areas of the
mentoring curriculum include enhancing academic attitude and
performance, providing peer and social skills, developing and
mentoring lifelong learners, cultivating personal growth and
creativity, providing opportunities for leadership and community
services, and nourishing psychological and physical wellness.
"One out of three children and adolescents in the U.S. is
overweight or obese and lacks good oral health care putting them at
risk for serious health problems," said Horace Dukes, CEO of The Dukes Foundation.
"Educating and inspiring our youth to develop lifelong, healthy
habits are at the core of what we aim to do through this program.
We thank WellCare of Georgia for
supporting our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives
of children."
"WellCare of Georgia realizes
that the social safety net is critical to obtaining positive health
outcomes for our members and those who live in their communities,"
said Veatrice Futch, supervisor of
community advocacy, WellCare of Georgia. "The Dukes Foundation's wellness and
health program is a worthy community investment that can bring
measurable improvements to the health and well-being of
children."
For more information on The Dukes Foundation call 404-419-6452
or visit http://www.dukesfoundation.org.
As of Dec. 31, 2015, WellCare
serves approximately 585,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® plan
members, 36,000 Medicare Advantage plan members and 22,000 Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan members in Georgia. To learn more about how we care for
Georgians watch Gloria's story at http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing
government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans,
to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical
needs. WellCare serves approximately 3.8 million members
nationwide as of Dec. 31, 2015. For
more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website
at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
About Dukes Foundation
THE DUKES FOUNDATION
(CORPORATION), is an accredited 501 ©(3) Nonprofit Service
Organization that offers an effective mentoring program on a
regular basis through support obtained from Professional, Business
and Civic Organizations. Their mentoring program includes; Academic
Coaching, Career Development Workshops, Wellness Sessions, Cultural
Exposure Tours and Motivational Exercises that have contributed to
the transformation of many lives. Bearing the acronym, D.U.K.E.S,
Developing Urban Kids with Etiquette and Self-Esteem, DUKES
FOUNDATION remain committed to using MENTORING to elevate social
conditions and reduce the level of violence committed by teens.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.