In Ogdensburg Diocese, Fidelis Care Awards $25,000 from Community Grant Fund

Grant Supports Catholic Charities' Healthy Families/Healthy Communities Program

OGDENSBURG, NY (08/12/2011)(readMedia)-- Fidelis Care, the New York State Catholic Health Plan, is pleased to announce that the Diocese of Ogdensburg has been awarded $25,000 to support its Healthy Families/Healthy Communities counseling program.

For the seventh consecutive year, Fidelis Care is proud to offer grant funds to non-profit organizations that share similar missions and values of service to low-income vulnerable individuals. The 2010 Fidelis Care Community Grant Fund made grants available, in coordination with Ogdensburg Bishop Terry LaValley and his brother bishops, across New York State's eight Roman Catholic Dioceses.

"Fidelis Care has always valued and understood the importance of a strong community presence and enduring partnerships with community organizations that share our healing ministry within the Diocese of Ogdensburg," said Mark L. Lane, President and CEO. "We are pleased to support such worthwhile programs and services and know that they will benefit local residents within the Diocese. This is the heart of our mission."

Bishop LaValley said, "Particularly during this time of economic uncertainty, we are most grateful to Fidelis Care for this substantial grant to Catholic Charities for its Healthy Families/Healthy Communities counseling program here in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. This is but one example of how Fidelis Care continues to assist the Church here in the North Country in our common mission of extending Christ's love and care to the vulnerable among us."

Catholic Charities' Healthy Families/Healthy Communities counseling program is geared towards individuals and families who lack access to other counseling services. A particular emphasis is placed on serving the working poor. The ultimate goal is to help individuals and families build bridges to healthier lives.

Fidelis Care offers free or low-cost health insurance through New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid Managed Care programs. Members are covered for regular checkups, preventive care, routine screenings, hospital and emergency care, eye exams, dental care, and more. Fidelis Care also offers a variety of benefit options for seniors through Fidelis Medicare Advantage, Dual Advantage, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and Fidelis Care at Home programs, available in certain counties.

With more than 720,000 members in 58 counties statewide, Fidelis Care was founded on the belief that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Members have access to a provider network of more than 43,000 health care professionals statewide. Regional offices are located in Amherst, Syracuse, Albany, and Rego Park (Queens), with satellite offices in Rochester, Poughkeepsie, and Suffern.

For more information, call Fidelis Care toll-free at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.

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