CareSource announces $50,000 contribution to Jones County to bridge digital divide

Funds used to expand access to high-speed Internet and purchase devices for students living below the poverty line

JONES COUNTY, Ga. (CARESOURCE) - CareSource, a mission-driven, managed care plan serving more than 440,000 Georgians, today announced a $40,000 contribution to Tri-County EMC Foundation Inc., a community-focused electric cooperative. The funds helped establish high-speed Internet access points throughout the county, focusing on rural areas and socioeconomically diverse locations to expand Internet access to Jones County residents. In addition to the initial $40,000, CareSource contributed $10,000 to Jones County Family Connection to support 35 students in need of Chromebooks for their post-secondary education in high-demand career fields such as health care, robotics and engineering.

Members of the Jones Co. delegation, Lt. Governor Burt Jones and TriCoGo join Jason Bearden, market president, CareSource Georgia for ribbon cutting ceremony. (Photo: CareSource)

“Access to information and resources supports health equity and better health outcomes,” said Jason Bearden, market president, CareSource Georgia. “Jones County residents with Internet access can use it to learn more about their health, communicate with health care providers, access electronic health records and schedule medical appointments. The Internet can also connect people to resources and services to assist with housing, food insecurity and mental health. We are excited to be able to collaborate on this important initiative.”

Nearly 13% of families in Jones County are living below the poverty line, and 25.4% of families with children have annual incomes less than 150% of the federal poverty threshold. As a result, access to high-speed Internet or devices to access the Internet is a challenge for many families in Jones County. With this funding, CareSource is collaborating with community partners to expand rural access to broadband and Internet.

“The Internet is a powerful tool that bridges educational gaps, provides economic opportunities, and enhances health care access and outcomes,” said Greg Mullis, chief operating officer, TriCoGo. “Investing in our community's digital infrastructure is critical to ensuring that our children and families have the tools they need to succeed. We are grateful for CareSource’s support because it will allow us to address digital equity, expand internet access, and provide essential devices to students and families in Jones County.”