UTICA, N.Y. — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield awarded Young Scholars LPP of Utica University a Health Equity Award of $30,000 to support Young Scholars mental health equity programming.
Young Scholars LPP provides year-round academic support, counseling, and social and cultural enrichment to students from diverse backgrounds and communities of color in grades 7-12. These students and their families are among the populations that face overall health disparities, particularly in the mental-health area. This program provides mental-health support from a licensed social worker for students and their families.
“The Young Scholars LPP social workers are the first and most trusted mental health professionals available to our students and their parents,” Young Scholars LPP Executive Director Pamela Matt explained in a press release. “Stigma, cultural restrictions, and other barriers often prevent students and parents from seeking mental health support. Providing immediate and free access to mental health professionals for each student upon entering the Young Scholars program helps remove these barriers.”
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The Young Scholars LPP is a collaborative effort between the Utica City School District and Utica University, serving about 360 students from diverse backgrounds in grades 7-12. Students nominated for the program are identified as having strong academic potential but facing strong socioeconomic or other challenges that could keep them from realizing that potential.
The mission of the program is to provide the necessary support for these students to stay in school, earn a New York State Regents diploma with advanced designation, graduate college, and be career ready.
In the fall of 2021, Excellus introduced a new Health Equity Award funding opportunity and invited organizations throughout its service area to apply. The awards help fund programs to improve health equity in communities of color. Award categories included: improving the community’s physical and mental health, reducing social disparities in health care, and ensuring access to health-care service.
