​​​Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Partner to Support Students and Families across Southwest Virginia

 

BRISTOL, VA  — Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands (CIS-AH), a dedicated organization that empowers students to stay in school and achieve in life, today announced a transformative partnership with the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. The landmark collaboration, amounting to a $750,000, three-year investment from Anthem, marks a significant step to reducing risk factors among students that lead to mental health and substance use disorder.   

 

Disproportionately, children across the Appalachian Highlands region of Southwest Virginia are impacted by the highest rates of substance abuse in the state. CIS-AH places Student Support Coordinators within schools to cultivate relationships and become support systems for students – putting them in a unique position to intervene at the first sign of an adverse experience. Coordinators provide targeted, individualized services to the most at-risk students, while also offering school-wide education and support. Now, with the Anthem Foundation grant, CIS-AH will add new elements to its evidence-based programming that will strengthen the support provided to thousands of students, families, and staff at 51 schools across Southwest Virginia. 

 

“Our support for Communities In Schools Appalachian Highlands reflects our commitment to the whole health of our members and communities by partnering with school-based resources on early intervention and prevention efforts to address the impact of substance use disorder and the behavioral health crisis on youth,” said Jennie Reynolds, President, Anthem HealthKeepers Plus. “We believe in the power of transformative relationships to reduce risk factors, unlock student potential, transform lives, and improve health outcomes. Together, we are charting a path towards progress, empowerment, and a stronger Virginia.”  

 

Through this grant, ​​ CIS-AH will further expand its reach and create a more profound impact within the region by addressing the needs of at-risk students and ensuring that every student has an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.  

 

"At Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands, our mission ​​ is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We recognize the crucial role that mental health and substance use disorder play in students' overall well-being and academic success,” said Chase Stewart, President & CEO, Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands. “With the invaluable support of the Anthem Foundation, we are expanding our reach and impact across Southwest Virginia. By targeting risk factors that affect mental health and well-being, we are breaking down barriers to ensure every student receives the necessary support and resources required to achieve success. Together, we are fostering students’ resilience and nurturing their potential to thrive in school and beyond." 

 

The partnership, bolstered by Anthem Foundation's generous support, enables ​​ CIS-AH to introduce new elements to their existing evidence-based initiatives across all 51 schools they serve in the Southwest Virginia region, including: 

 

 

CIS-AH is one of three Virginia-based grantees selected by the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to receive a total of $1.4M over three years to address mental health with an emphasis on substance use disorder. This is part of its parent Foundation’s national commitment of up to $30M toward this priority area of focus. 

 

Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. As an independent affiliate of Communities In Schools, the organization implements evidence-based practices, ensuring that every student has access to the support and resources they need to overcome obstacles and achieve their full ​​ potential. CIS-AH is currently serving over 21,000 students and 58 schools throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. You can learn more about CIS-AH and how you can become a partner by visiting our website at www.cisofah.org.

 

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Foundation.  The Foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; mental health; and food as medicine. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation and its blog at www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation