CareSource Presents $25,000 Check for West Virginia Communities in Schools

Donation from Health Insurer will Support More Than 70,000 Students Across the State

(CHARLESTON, WV – November 16, 2021) –  CareSource met with West Virginia Governor Justice and First Lady Justice to announce the donation of $25,000 to benefit West Virginia’s Communities In Schools (CIS) program. CIS aims to forge community partnerships and bring resources into schools to help remove barriers to student learning with a goal of keeping all students in school and ultimately graduating.

“We have a really special presentation today from CareSource supporting Communities in Schools. Earlier this week we visited an elementary school with the founder of Communities in Schools, Bill Milliken, as we spoke with the students who are thriving,” explained First Lady Justice. “Everything is going so well and we are thrilled to have this donation from CareSource to further support removing barriers to health and education in West Virginia.”

CareSource’s choice to support Communities in Schools was clear as both organizations work to uncover the root of health and social issues by removing barriers that prevent an individual from reaching their full potential.

“It is with great honor that CareSource is able to donate $25,000 to further the mission of Communities In Schools,” said Kevin Everwine, Associate Vice President of Health Partners at CareSource West Virginia. “This Community In Schools organization aligns very closely with the initiatives that CareSource ascribes to, including looking at the person and their circumstances with a more holistic approach. So sincerely, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything that you’re doing.”

Gov. Jim Justice and First Lady Cathy Justice started CIS in three counties in 2018. Since then, the program has expanded to 31 counties, serving more than 70,000 students in 171 schools across the state.

“This is a great announcement today by a fabulous organization that’s coming in and wanting to support Communities In Schools because they believe in what we’re doing,” said Gov. Justice. “This $25,000 will go a long way toward helping real people and especially helping our kids.”

In 2021 alone, the CIS reported 97 percent of case-managed students were promoted to the next grade.

“Communities In Schools is absolutely off-the-charts good,” said Gov. Justice. “I say it all the time, but if you have an opportunity to reach out and impact a child's life, or maybe even their parents or whomever it may be, it really means something. It’s just what we're supposed to do. So, again, I really and truly thank CareSource for their incredible contribution.”