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Peach State Health Plan and Georgia Primary Care Association Announce Second Year of Awards for School-Based Health Center Grant Program

Date: 10/02/24

ATLANTA – Today, Peach State Health Plan (PSHP), a care management organization serving Georgians through diverse  health insurance solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation  (NYSE: CNC), and the Georgia Primary Care  Association (GPCA) awarded grants for the second consecutive year to five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in support of Georgia’s school-based health centers (SBHCs). These awards were made possible by a $1.1 million donation in 2023 from Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation (the Foundation), the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation.

The following School Based Health Centers were awarded grants from the Georgia Primary Care Association this year:

  • Georgia Mountains Health – Dahlonega
  • Primary Health Care Center of Dade – Ringgold
  • First Choice Primary Care – Macon
  • Athens Model Neighborhood Health Center – Athens
  • Whitefoord Health Center/KIPP Woodson Park Academy – Atlanta

"At Peach State Health Plan, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide all Georgians with access to high-quality healthcare," said Clyde White, President of Peach State Health Plan. "As we enter the second year of awarding these impactful grants, we are proud to partner with the GPCA to support an additional five SBHCs. These grants are a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare access and quality for students and families across our state. We deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts of all our partners in making this possible."  

Funding from these grants will be used to support a variety of projects, ranging from structural improvements to the purchase of new and specialized medical equipment. A total of $300,000 in grants will support projects from each SBHC. The Georgia Primary Care Association will use remaining funding to distribute additional grants to FQHCs for their SBHCs in subsequent years.

Currently, only 120 of Georgia's nearly 2,200 public schools have an on-campus health center. SBHCs provide essential healthcare services on school campuses, focusing on prevention and early identification of treatable health issues. These centers help ensure students receive the care they need to stay healthy and succeed academically. SBHCs are vital in filling a critical gap for students and families who rely on their local schools for access to healthcare services.

In February 2023, Peach State Health Plan and the Centene Foundation’s donation to the Georgia Primary Care Association established a multiyear program to provide a series of grants that will empower FQHCs to directly improve the SBHCs they manage, expanding access to vital healthcare services for Georgia's students. This initiative aligns with Governor Brian Kemp's significant $125  million allocation of state funding for SBHCs in rural and underserved areas, as well as Title I schools, in 2021.

The recipients will be formally recognized and presented with their grant awards at the Georgia Primary Care Association’s 2024 Annual Conference in Alpharetta on Wednesday, September 25.

About the Centene Foundation

The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation ("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.

Georgia Primary Care Association

The Georgia Primary Care Association (GPCA) is a statewide membership organization designed to support and promote the development and success of Georgia's FQHCs. Since 1977 the GPCA Association (GPCA) has been designated as the state Primary Care Association (PCA) by the Health Resources and Services  Administration (HRSA). As the state's PCA, we are a knowledgeable
resource for the rules and regulations governing FQHCs, Section 330 organizations and LALs (Look-Alikes). The Georgia Primary Care Association is active in the development of operational models for FQHCs. In addition, we provide direction and leadership for required community development activities related to new as well as existing community health centers. Much of our success can be attributed to our collaborative approach. We not only work closely with our members, but also with other healthcare organizations including the Georgia Rural Health Association, the Georgia Hospital Association as well as elected government officials, and many other establishments and individuals. For more information visit www.georgiapca.org.