Baltimore (Nov. 3, 2023)– CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the largest not-for-profit health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, and the Baltimore Ravens announced Friday the latest recipient of their joint grant program, Huddle Up for Health, as Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing.
Out of a pool of more than 100 applicants, Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing was chosen for its commitment to supporting Maryland youth recovering from trauma. As a safe and specially-equipped residential treatment facility and treatment foster care program located in Baltimore, they have the resources and support to help youth navigate complex mental and behavioral health challenges.
"Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing is committed to strengthening the mental health services to those in our community who need it most. We believe that every child is worth it and every family matters," Bryon Fracchia, executive director for Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing said. "Through trauma-informed intervention, we provide a safe and supportive environment where the youth and families of our community can begin to heal. Now with this generous award from CareFirst and the Baltimore Ravens, we can further support their recovery through a care transition program that will help our youth be successful as they rejoin their community and redefine their future."
During their time at Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing, youth learn the tools and skills needed to self-manage their emotional, behavioral, physical and medical regulation. However, upon discharge, they are no longer in a safe, supportive and structured environment. The $50,000 Huddle Up for Health grant will allow Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing to increase its ability to extend the safe, structured and therapeutic community as youth successfully transition back into their external communities.
"CareFirst is consistently looking for ways to support the behavioral health needs in our community and address social determinants of health that prevent certain populations from accessing the care they need," Kim Harris, director of community health and social impact of CareFirst said. "Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing's commitment to ensuring youth have the resources they need to thrive now and into the future, and their experience supporting the population in Baltimore City that needs it most, made them an ideal community partner. We are proud to support their program and mission."
The Ravens and CareFirst will jointly recognize Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing as the 2023 Huddle Up for Health grant recipient. The recognition will help bring their programming to life by inviting representatives onto the field and highlighting their efforts during halftime of the Baltimore Ravens vs. Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday, November 5.
"It is imperative for the Ravens to collaborate with trusted community partners like CareFirst, and to provide funding and exposure for the invaluable work of Baltimore-based organizations like Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing," Ravens vice president of community relations and executive director of the Ravens Foundation Heather Darney stated. "We are thrilled to partner with and support the life-saving mental health services that Nexus-Woodbourne provides to youth from across the state of Maryland."
Designed to provide awareness and support to the community by addressing health disparities, "Huddle Up for Health" is a collaboration from the decades-long partnership between the Baltimore Ravens and CareFirst. The program continues community wellness and health equity initiatives established by the two organizations, while broadening the focus to include other health challenges individuals face throughout Maryland.
When CareFirst and the Ravens began their partnership in 2003, they pledged to combine their strength, expertise and resources to support communities throughout the state of Maryland. Huddle Up for Health notably encompasses the ongoing "Fresh Food Mobile" initiative started in 2019. Stemming from a concerning level of food insecurity challenges in Maryland, the Fresh Food Mobile has facilitated ease of access to food and services offered through the Maryland Food Bank's support programs, including the school-based Pantry-on-the-Go program. Since its creation, the Fresh Food Mobile has delivered upwards of 320,000 total meals to individuals in need.
To stay up to date on Huddle Up for Health and learn more about the Ravens' community initiatives and involvement, visit www.baltimoreravens.com/community. For more information on CareFirst's community initiatives, visit www.carefirst.com/community.
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About the Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are one of six NFL franchises to win multiple Super Bowls since the turn of the century. Under head coach John Harbaugh, who arrived in 2008, Baltimore has posted the NFL's fourth-most total victories (164), won the league's third-most playoff games (11, tied), advanced to an impressive three AFC Championship contests, and in 2012, captured the World Championship in Super Bowl XLVII. The Ravens, who also won Super Bowl XXXV during the 2000 campaign, have made the playoffs in 10 of the past 15 seasons, producing four AFC North Division titles during this time (2011, 2012, 2018 & 2019).
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 86th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2022, CareFirst invested $24.1 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of healthcare throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com and our transforming healthcare page at www.carefirst.com/transformation, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
About Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing
Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing* is part of Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit network of mental health agencies with over 50 years of restoring hope for thousands of children, families, and adults through outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. We use innovative, personalized approaches to heal trauma, break cycles of harm, and reshape futures. We believe every child is worth it — and every family matters. Learn more at NexusWoodbourne.org.
*As an independent 501(c) 3 and Maryland's oldest child welfare agency, Nexus-Woodbourne Family Healing provides these direct services to youth and families in the Maryland and DC Region communities.
