# Optima Health Family Care
Community Outreach Initiatives

Optima Health believes that everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their best health. Often, factors outside an individual’s control can impact personal health – ethnic origin, race, geography and economics. Optima Health is committed to partnering with organizations that help to improve the health and well-being of the members it serves.

Optima Health is a part of Sentara Healthcare, a regional not-for-profit healthcare system. Optima Health Family Care, a Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) product, is committed to providing courteous, professional, and quality care to members of the Medicaid community throughout the state of Virginia.

Through the Optima Health Family Care community outreach program, community needs in the areas of health, education, housing and financial stability are addressed.

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## Community
Outreach

Optima Health is committed to improving the lives of members and the communities we serve. Through leadership and participation with local, regional and national organizations, we address community needs in the areas of health, education, housing and financial stability.

Optima Health Family Care takes part in several hundred neighborhood events each year.

### Health

We assist our members and the communities we serve by increasing access to quality services, and offering health education about the importance of preventive care and early detection.

### Education

In collaboration with other community organizations, Optima Health Family Care works to increase health care knowledge, as well as to provide provide educational opportunities for students.

### Housing

Awareness and access to existing programs that promote home ownership, increase access to affordable housing and reduce homelessness.

### Financial Stability

Awareness and participation in programs that provide employment opportunities, and increase financial literacy to empower communities.

Following are highlights of many organizations with which we partner:

Community Outreach • Health and Wellness Outreach

### Optima Health Family Care Health Education and Awareness (HEAP) Program

1997-present

The Optima Health Family Care HEAP program encourages healthy living and lifestyles among youth. The program is administered by local parks and recreation as well as Boys and Girls Clubs, and results have proved positive outcomes for youth participation.

Statewide

### Capital Area Heath Network (CAHN)

2005-present

Optima Health Family Care partners with the Capital Area Health Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health status within the communities of Metropolitan Richmond. With its six medical centers, two dental centers and school-based mobile health unit, CAHN provides care to underserved individuals in our communities.

Central Virginia

### The Health Wagon

2012-present

Through sponsorship and staff volunteer time, Optima Health Family Care supports the Health Wagon mobile and stationary clinics in providing compassionate, quality health care to medically underserved people in rural Appalachia. The Health Wagon offers access to quality health care, as well as hope, for some of our communities’ must vulnerable citizens.

Southwest Virginia

Community Outreach • Collaborations to Support Education

### Faith-Based Partnerships – Baptist General Convention and Virginia Baptist State Convention

2011-present

Optima Health Family Care supports each of the convention annual sessions and association meetings, as well as individual churches, by helping to plan and participate in health fairs and other health-related events, presentations and regional conferences. The conventions provide services and resources to approximately 1,800 churches and 50 regional associations.

Statewide

### 100 Black Men of Central Virginia

2011-present

Optima Health Family Care supports the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia scholarship program, which helps children in low income families go to college. This initiative seeks to eliminate the achievement gap of African American males in grades K-12, through its mentoring and scholarship programs.

Central Virginia

### L.D. Britt Scholarship

1999-present

Each year, the L.D. Britt scholarship fund awards a scholarship to a deserving minority student who plans to pursue a doctor of medicine degree. Optima Health Family Care proudly partners with this organization.

Hampton Roads

Community Outreach • Our Commitment to Better Housing

### U.S. Department of Housingand Urban Development (HUD)

2010-present

Optima Health Family Care supports the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in its work, administering programs to help lower- and moderate-income families achieve homeownership.

Statewide

### Habitat for Humanity

2016-present

Optima Health Family Care provides assistance to Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to build homes for low income families. With help from this organization, homeowners are able to achieve the strength and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves and their families.

Hampton Roads

### BB&T Lighthouse Project

2016-present

In support of the BB&T home ownership community outreach initiative, Optima Health Family Care provides in-kind and staff support to help improve quality of life through local charities in our communities.

Central Virginia

Community Outreach • Ensuring Financial Stability

### Ricky Johnson and Friends Foundation Christmas for Kids Parade

2009-present

Optima Health Family Care has sponsored and participated in these annual events taking place in Norfolk, Richmond and Petersburg. The parades provide hope and joy for children and their families, as they receive donated toys during the holidays.

Hampton Roads - Central Virginia

### Salvation Army Christmas Program

1999-present

Optima Health Family Care has supported the Salvation Army Christmas Program, providing aid to needy families, seniors and the homeless.

Hampton Roads - Southwest Virginia

### Virginia Credit Union, Assets for Independence

2016-present

Assets for Independence is a community-based approach for giving low-income families a hand up out of poverty. Optima Health Family Care is a proud sponsor in this initiative.

Central Virginia

To view a complete list of the community organizations we partner with:
View the full list

## Stories

The organizations we support do important work and help so many people in our communities.

- Jordan Wideman

  Jordan Wideman was the recipient of a 900 Men Strong 2017 scholarship, sponsored by Optima Health Family Care. Here is what Jordan had to say about how the organization and scholarship have helped him:

  “I’m more than grateful to be able to receive this scholarship and to participate in such a bonding environment.”

- Cindi

  Cindi received a Misfit fitness tracker through an Optima Health Family Care exercise program. This is what Cindi said about how it has helped her be healthier:

  “I have really enjoyed using the Misfit because it encourages me to work harder each day to improve on my daily activity.”

- Alexander Beverly

  Alexander Beverly was a student of the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, M-cubed program, which focuses on the three M’s: Math, Men and Mission, to help 5th through 8th graders develop strong math skills. Here’s what he says:

  “I would say that my success as a student, as well as a person, is because of the devotion of 100 Black Men of Central Virginia to instill confidence in the black male youth of Charlottesville.”

- Almon Hall

  Almon Hall is the Health Ministry Coordinator at the Greater Nazarene Baptist Church. This is what he says about the resources his church has received through the Baptist General Convention of Virginia and Optima Health Family Care:

  “We have received and distributed information regarding diabetes, breast cancer and healthy eating to name a few. This information has helped our community to become healthier and to prolong lives.”

- A mother

  A mother said this about how the Head Start program, supported by Optima Health Family Care, helped her family:

  “My son, who is now a 5th grader, reads on an eighth grade reading level and is an Honor Roll student. Head Start makes a difference in the family as a whole, and I know it will continue to change the community one family at a time.”

## Testimonials

We are thrilled with the outpouring of support we receive from our neighbors in the community.

- 100 Black Men of Central Virginia

  Optima Health Family Care has supported our efforts to better the lives of Central Virginia’s youth, since 2011. Through scholarships and mentoring programs, we are eliminating the achievement gap of African American males in grades K-12. Thank you Optima Health for helping us keep this community tradition alive.

- Capital Area Health Network (CAHN)

  Optima Health Family Care has supported our efforts to improve health in the Metropolitan Richmond communities, since 2005. As a provider organization, we are proud Optima Health is open to exploring innovative ideas that will help improve the health of the communities we serve. We are pleased to partner with Optima Health to meet the growing needs of our current and future patients. They are a valuable community resource.

- Habitat for Humanity

  The cooperation of Optima Health Family Care is truly remarkable. Their participation in Habitat for Humanity community events gives deserving families stability through homeownership. We would not be able to do what we do without the support of organizations like Optima Health.

- The Health Wagon

  Optima Health Family Care is helping the Health Wagon make a difference for our medically-underserved neighbors in poverty-stricken rural Appalachia. We sincerely value their commitment, which helps us provide access to quality health care for some of the most needy and vulnerable individuals in the nation.

- On the Road Collaborative

  I would like to thank Optima Health Family Care for its commitment to ensuring more undeserved Harrisonburg, VA middle school youth have access to quality educational experiences and caring adults during the out-of-school hours through the HEAP program. Thanks to the support from Optima Health and partnership with the HEAP program, we created significant opportunity for our middle school youth to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle in a fun and interactive way. We are proud to count Optima Health as a true community partner and look forward to continuing to work together to change the lives of Harrisonburg youth in the years ahead. Thank you!

- Ricky Johnson & Friends Foundation

  Optima Health Family Care has been a dedicated partner of the Ricky Johnson and Friends Foundation, since 2009. In doing so, they have put smiles on the faces of children and their families in Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk, VA. With Optima Health and other supporters, we have given tens of thousands of holiday gifts to children, which their families may not have otherwise been able to afford. We are excited to partner with Optima Health, to continue in fulfilling our mission of providing education on the resources available in our communities.

## Learn More

### Important Sponsorship Documents for Community Leaders

Optima Health Family Care provides sponsorship of various programs throughout the state, and we would like to inform you of our process for requesting funds. Please review the Guidelines for Community Benefit Sponsorship and pay special attention to the sponsorship request deadlines. Any requests for funding or sponsorship must be submitted using the Sponsorship Request Template - no exceptions can be made.

Guidelines for Community Benefit Sponsorship
Awarded sponsorships should help to improve the health status of the community. If your organization’s request for funding does not have a health component, it must enhance the community in the areas of housing, education or financial literacy.

Sponsorship Request Template
Organizations wishing to request funds should complete this document, and mail to the applicable address on this page.

### Contact Information

Eastern Virginia:
4417 Corporation Lane
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
1-866-706-6708
Central Virginia:
1604 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 100
Richmond, Virginia 23229
1-866-575-4475
select option 1, then option 2
Western Virginia:
129 East Campbell Avenue SE
Roanoke, VA 24011
1-866-575-4475
select option 1, then option 2
Community Outreach • All Initiatives

- 100 Black Men of Central Virginia Scholarships 2011-present
- A Day in the Park Central Virginia, 2008-present
- BB&T Bank Central Virginia, 2016-present
- Boys and Girls Club of Lynchburg 2007-present
- Capital Area Heath Network Central Virginia, 2005-present
- Charles City Medical Group, Inc. Central Virginia, 2016-present
- Christian Radio Broadcast Hampton Roads, 2016-present
- City of Portsmouth Parks and Recreation 2007-present
- Community Member Advisory Councils Statewide, 1996-present
- Constance Covington Youth Center Southern Virginia, 2007-present
- Danville Community College – Student Resource Day 2007-present
- Faith-Based Partnership – Baptist General Convention Statewide, 2012-present
- Faith-Based Partnership – Virginia Baptist State Convention Statewide, 2011-present
- FunkFest Hampton Roads, 2016-present
- Grace Community Church, Collinsville – Back to School Program 2015-present
- Habitat for Humanity Hampton Roads, 2016-present
- Head Start Program Statewide, 2002-present
- Healthy Community – Martinsville Henry County 2009-present
- Joy Run/Walk Faith-Based 5k and 2k Central Virginia, 2013-present
- L.D. Britt Scholarship Hampton Roads, 1999-present
- National Night Out Central and Southern Virginia, 2007-present
- Optima Health Family Care Health Education and Awareness Program (HEAP) Statewide, 1997-present
- Redevelopment and Housing Authority Statewide, 2004-present
- Ricky Johnson and Friends Foundation Christmas for Kids Parade Central Virginia and Hampton Roads, 2009-present
- Salvation Army Christmas Program Hampton Roads and Southwest Virginia, 1999-present
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Statewide, 2001-present
- Transformation Expo Central Virginia, 2007-present
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Statewide, 2010-present
- Virginia Credit Union, Assets for Independence Central Virginia, 2016-present
- Virginia Oral Health Coalition Central Virginia, 2012-present
- Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Central Virginia, 2013-present