Centene and Home State Health Host Anti-Bullying Event With Matthews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation and Home State Health partnered to host an anti-bullying event for over 75 elementary-aged students attending summer camp at Matthews-Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club.

The "No Bullying Zone" event featured award-winning children's author Michelle Bain, reading,  Splotch the Madpole Does a Whole lot of Bullying which was co-authored with Centene, Cenpatico, and anti-bullying expert Dr. Joseph Wright of Children's National Medical Center. This event also featured a special appearance by Centene mascot Darby and a performance by musical talent Jamie "King James" Dennis and the Urban Music Project Group, as well as an anti-bullying "graffiti wall" where the children signed their names and pledged that they will not be a bully.

At the program, Dr. Bernard Shore, Chief Medical Director for Home State Health, told the campers how their safety is directly associated with their overall health. "Being healthy means being safe, and being safe means that you know what to do if you feel like you are being bullied – don't be afraid to tell an adult.  It's bad to be bullied, and it's also very bad to be a bully!"

This national initiative aims to educate students, teachers and parents on how to prevent, identify and appropriately intervene when bullying threatens school-aged children. The "graffiti wall" has traveled around the country to other schools and summer camps that have hosted other book readings through Centene's Adopt-a-School program.

Earlier this month, Home State Health partnered with the Boys' & Girls' Club of the Capital City in Jefferson City and hosted an anti-smoking event. This event along with the "No Bullying Zone" is a part of Home State Health's interactive summer education series.

About Home State Health

Home State Health is a Medicaid private health plan contracted to provide services under the Missouri Department of Social Services MO HealthNet managed care program, and is owned by a joint venture of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise offering both Medicaid and specialty services. 

Home State Health provides services to over 57,000 children and families across Missouri and is dedicated to transforming the health of the communities in which we live, work and serve through improved access to quality healthcare and whole-person care coordination and support services.  Through collaboration with local advocate groups, Home State Health develops innovative solutions for its members, designed to eliminate barriers that affect quality healthcare and individuals' well-being. 

Information regarding Home State Health is available via the internet at www.HomeStateHealth.com

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long-term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions.  It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, in-home health services, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management, specialty pharmacy and telehealth services.

SOURCE Home State Health