PRESS RELEASE
IBC Foundation awards Innovation Grant to Education–Plus, Inc., providing health services to region’s underserved children
$40,000 grant will support world–recognized School Health Clinics in Philadelphia charter schools
PHILADELPHIA (April 20, 2012) — Today, Independence Blue Cross Foundation awards Education–Plus, Inc. a $40,000 grant, through its Innovation initiative, to support school health clinics operating within Pan American Academy and Belmont Charter Schools. Both clinics serve as unique models that provide primary and preventive services to approximately 1,200 students annually.
“It is important we continue to challenge ourselves to ensure all of our community members have access to and receive proper health services,” said Lorina Marshall–Blake, president, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Foundation. “This landmark model, developed by Education Plus and its partners, has redefined the possibilities of serving children in our region, which is why we are so proud to support them.”
An innovative blend of health and education, these clinics have attracted global attention by producing a measurable impact on student health and academic performance in communities that often live in poverty, suffer from chronic illnesses, such as asthma and diabetes, and lack health insurance or access to professional care.
The clinics are operated by nurse practitioners from Temple University Department of Nursing, in collaboration with Temple Department of Pediatrics, Education–Plus, Inc., the National Nursing Centers Consortium and Congreso de Latinos Unidos.
The funding from the IBC Foundation will enable the clinics to:
- complete immunizations and physicals for students who do not have access to those services;
- decrease student truancy rates by providing daily primary care for chronic health conditions;
- decrease the number of student visits to the emergency room by managing asthma attacks on–site and conducting an Asthma Safe Kids program, which consists of home visitations and evaluations to identify and protect against asthma triggerss;
- obtain BMI information from students to provide to Congreso’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools program.
“We are grateful to have a partner with as much foresight and passion as the Independence Blue Cross Foundation. It is because of its support that we will be able to continue delivering health services to those who need them most in our community and ultimately impact not only students’ well–being but also their education,” said Nicholas Torres, president, Education–Plus, who receives the grant check today at the second annual Temple University undergraduate nursing/Pan American Academy Health Fair.
The health fair focuses on health and safety topics from the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Temple Nursing Students provide posters, resources and interactive experiences for the Pan American students, ensuring an evidence–based approach to pediatric health promotion. Also attending the fair and grant presentation are: Stephen P. Fera, senior vice president of public affairs, Independence Blue Cross; Elizabeth Polizzi, board chair Education–Plus, Inc.; Tine Hansen–Turton, CEO, National Nursing Centers Consortium; as well as, Temple University, Department of Nursing, and Pan American Academy Charter School students, staff and administration
The IBC Foundation, whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves, has awarded more than $2 million in Blue Safety Net grants to 34 private, nonprofit community health clinics that provide high quality, cost–effective primary, medical and dental care to 145,000 uninsured and underinsured men, women and children, since its launch in October 2011.
In total, the IBC Foundation has supported more than 80 grants in a five–county region surrounding Philadelphia, totaling more than $3.6 million, including $1 million in Nurses for Tomorrow grants to 22 area nursing programs to fund scholarships to strengthen the nursing workforce through education, career development and research.
About the Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Launched in October 2011, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation is an independent, private foundation whose mission is to transform health care through innovation in the communities it serves. The foundation complements and expands upon Independence Blue Cross’s 74–year commitment to improving the health and wellness of the people of southeastern Pennsylvania. The IBC Foundation targets the following areas of impact:
- Caring for our most vulnerable: Supporting nonprofit health clinics that deliver quality, cost–effective primary, medical and dental care to uninsured and underinsured people.
- Enhancing health care delivery: Strengthening the nursing workforce through education, career development and research.
- Leading innovative approaches to health care: Supporting new and creative solutions that reduce health care spending, improve quality, and expand access to care.
About Education–Plus, Inc.
Education Plus Health, the school health branch of Education–Plus, Inc., works to increase access to healthcare and better health by addressing the needs of medically underserved children in Philadelphia through a network of nurse practitioner–managed School Health Clinics. The presence of high–quality, preventive and primary healthcare at school encourages children—especially those who are struggling with chronic illness—to stay in school and reach their full academic potential. Education–Plus currently operates two School Health Clinics at Pan American Academy Charter School in North Philadelphia and Belmont Charter in West Philadelphia, reaching approximately 1,200 children, a model that was recently selected as one of 15 finalists the worldwide Ashoka Changemakers “Innovations for Health: Solutions that Cross Borders” competition in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneer Portfolio. Education Plus Health seeks to expand the model, and ultimately envisions school health clinics providing pediatric care to medically underserved children worldwide.
About Pan American Academy Charter School
Located in North Philadelphia, Pan American Academy Charter School is an independent, free, public K–8 charter school with the highest academic expectations for students. Through a focus on dual–language, inquiry –based learning, Pan American is creating the next generation of strong, internationally–minded, bilingual leaders in our community.