Highmark Delaware invests more than $1,400,000 in third quarter

Wilmington, Del. (November 12, 2024) — Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware (Highmark Delaware) is pleased to announce $1,406,800 in BluePrints for the Community investments have been awarded for the third quarter of 2024. The investments address a variety of community needs, including increasing access to healthcare, holistic and innovative coping strategies, and training healthcare professionals in Delaware.

"We're incredibly proud to announce our Q3 BluePrints for the Community investments, exceeding $1.4 million! These crucial funds are making a real difference by increasing access to vital healthcare services, empowering young people with evidence-based coping strategies, and expanding training for our dedicated healthcare workforce. It's through these initiatives that we build a healthier and more resilient community for everyone” said Nick Moriello, president of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

BluePrints for the Community is a grants program of the Highmark Delaware Fund, a donor-advised fund at the Delaware Community Foundation.  Launched in 2007, the Highmark Delaware Fund has invested more than $38 million in initiatives to improve health outcomes across the state.

BluePrints aims to increase access to care and reduce health disparities throughout the state. Programs and projects typically demonstrate progress in one or both goals through one of the following focus areas: healthcare access, economic stability for families and individuals, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, and health workforce.

"BluePrints for the Community empowers Delawareans by providing essential resources to the dedicated organizations working tirelessly within our communities," said Rita Landgraf, chair of the BluePrints for the Community Advisory Council. "These grants are a testament to our commitment to supporting the organizations making a tangible difference in the lives of Delawareans every single day.”

BluePrints grants awarded in the third quarter were:

• ChristianaCare Health System: Fund two Community Health Workers to take on Medicare-eligible patients’ cases in their communities.
• Medical Society/Delaware Medical Education Foundation: Support the Primary Care Investment Initiative (PCII) to make financial stimulus awards to eligible physicians who propose a qualified method(s) to prepare their practices for sustainable, success in Value-Based Care (VBC).
• Christ the Teacher Catholic School: Help purchase CPR mannequins for training and education programs.
• The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Chill Project: Build two AHN Chill Rooms in two schools to help improve student emotional intelligence and reduce out-of-class time.
• Green Beret Project: Support their Empowering the Youth program for year-round activities for Delaware youth to improve Social Determinates of Health (SDOH).
• United Way of Delaware: Serve the uninsured and underinsured in Kent County with vaccinations, especially among black and Hispanic communities.
• AIDS Delaware: Help Expand their Mental Health Counseling program.
• A Better Chance for Our Children, Inc.: Build a playground to support their Rec-n-Respite Program for children ages 6-14 with high emotional and behavioral support needs.

"The grants from Highmark through the BluePrints for the Community program at the DCF continue to have tremendous impact in Delaware. We continue to support organizations providing necessary services,” DCF President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay said.

For more information, view the Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community Q3 report.

For information about the full impact of the 2023 BluePrints for the Community grants, see the 2023 BluePrints for the Community Grants Report.