TOPEKA – The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) Foundation donated $683,022.43 to 212 organizations during 2020, according to Marlou Wegener, chief operating officer of the BCBSKS Foundation.
The dollars provided funding for a variety of programs focused on improving the health and well-being of Kansans, which is the overarching goal of the BCBSKS Foundation.
"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation is proud to provide funding to organizations that are making a difference in the lives of Kansans," Wegener said. "Even throughout this pandemic, these organizations worked hard to continue providing services for our neighbors in need."
The BCBSKS Foundation was incorporated in 2005 to promote the good health of Kansans who live in its 103-county service area (all Kansas counties except Johnson and Wyandotte). Through its giving, the BCBSKS Foundation focuses on key health issues that impact the lives of many Kansans. The dollars were given to the 212 organizations to support a variety of programs and initiatives that promote health improvement, community health access and/or health education, healthy behaviors, prevention initiatives or direct health services to the uninsured.
“With support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, Child Care Aware of Kansas was able to meet emerging COVID-19 needs of 500 Kansas family child care programs by providing kits with curriculum and other materials to support behavioral health for children,” Kelly Davydov, executive director, Child Care Aware of Kansas, said. “The kits supported child care programs in implementing stricter cleaning regimens, addressing changing routines and, in some cases, navigating family stress for the young children in their care.”
Receiving major grants from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation in 2020 were:
Child Care Aware of Kansas – The organization received $50,000 to support children’s behavioral health curriculum for use by child care providers in 103 counties.
American Red Cross – Received $30,000 to provide emergency and disaster relief and COVID-19 response services in 103 counties in Kansas.
Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation – This foundation received $30,000 for the 2020 Kansas Mission of Mercy free dental clinic.
St. Francis Ministries – Received $25,000 to support telehealth services to clients with behavioral health needs.
Kansas CASA Association – Received $20,771 to provide local CASA programs with a health-related database for use in working with clients.
A total of $98,000 was given to educational institutions for scholarships for Bachelor of Science in nursing students, as well as students seeking health-related degrees and certificates.
Community centers that provide services for the uninsured and underinsured shared $86,000 in funding to assist with health services for their patients.
Healthy Habits for Life, a school grant program from the Foundation, distributed $89,841.43 to 81 public and private schools (K-12) for funding of healthy initiatives for students.
United Way organizations in Topeka, Salina, Wichita, and Hutchinson received a combined $70,000 to accompany employee-giving campaigns.