Foundation
Hear insight and stories from the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, an independent statewide health funder committed to improving health outcomes for current and future generations of South Carolinians.
Focus on Infant Mental Health
Oct. 27, 2020: Hearing the term “infant mental health” sounds unfamiliar to most parents. However, it’s a very real thing. BlueCross recently spoke with Kerrie Schnake, director of the South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care at the University of South Carolina and president of the South Carolina Association for Infant Mental Health, about the importance of supporting young children developing healthy behaviors.
Supporting Affordable Access to Healthy Foods
July 22, 2021: A healthy diet is key to ensuring good overall health. Eating well-rounded meals that include fresh produce can help reduce the risks of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. But many people throughout South Carolina do not have access to healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. FoodShare South Carolina was established to help bridge the gap and create greater access to healthy foods.
Giving Rural Communities a Blueprint for Health
Nov. 18, 2021: Rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to health care. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation in collaboration with the South Carolina Office of Rural Health (SCORH) is working to close the gap of health status and life expectancy between rural and urban communities by giving rural community leaders a Blueprint for Health.
5 Questions With Wholespire
April 21, 2022: In 2007, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation helped fund a new loan nonprofit that set out to advance community-led change to make healthy choices easier for South Carolinians. Wholespire's executive director Meg Stanley reflects on the work the organization is doing to increase access to wellness in communities.
Investing in Adolescent Mental Health
June 16, 2022: Young people in South Carolina face a grim truth. Suicide rates among those ages 10 to 24 continue to rise according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Data from the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH) shows the increase in suicide rates is most significant among children ages 10 to 14. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation hopes to change that.
Investing in South Carolina's Mental Health
Aug. 5, 2022: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) launched the 988 service this year to help those struggling with thoughts of self-harm. An unfunded federal mandate required NSPL to launch the 988 service as a 24/7 universal dialing code in July. Mental Health America of Greenville County (MHAGC) is the only call center in South Carolina handling these lifeline calls. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation continues its support of our state’s mental health through a grant to MHAGC.
Building Better Mental Health for Children in Need
In 2019, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation joined Epworth Children’s Home (ECH) to start the Epworth Center for Counseling (ECC) in the Midlands. The goal of the (ECC) is to give more access to counseling for high-risk children and families.
Getting a Head Start on Mental Health
Mental health isn’t just for grownups. An early focus on mental health is key to preventing more severe issues later in life. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is working with two groups to address infant mental health in our state.
Empowering Health Care: The Role of Technical Colleges in South Carolina
Discover how the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation invests in the future of health care by funding equipment upgrades and program support at SC Technical Colleges. This commitment ensures graduates are job-ready and equipped to provide high-quality care within local communities.
Smiles That Shine: Promoting Kids’ Oral Health in South Carolina
See how the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is helping improve children's oral health through partnerships with community initiatives like Reach Out and Read.