Helping children thrive | UnitedHealthcare Community & State

Children, teens and transition age youth in the foster care system are often at increased risk for developing physical health complications and behavioral health concerns. One in three children, teens and transition age youth enters foster care with a chronic medical condition. Additionally, 60% of children in foster care under age 5 have developmental health issues, and more than 40% of school-age children face educational challenges.¹

UnitedHealthcare is committed to helping all children, teens and transition age youth thrive and live healthier lives. We have long worked within communities across the state to improve access to care, address social drivers of health, and connect individuals to local organizations and resources that benefit health and well-being.

Our 2023 efforts to support foster children, teens and transition age youth include nearly $300,000 in grants designed to advance stability and provide critical resources:

$125,000 to Methodist Home for Children to enhance programs that stabilize placements for children with dual diagnoses.
$75,000 to Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina to increase preventive and aftercare services for families and to support kinship placements.
$75,000 to Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina to increase support groups, kinship navigation and resources for kinship families.
$7,500 to The Hope Center at Pullen to create a computer lab for foster teens and former foster youth to work on schoolwork, apply to college, search for jobs and meet with tutors.

A combination of grant support and community collaborations help to create stability and permanency for foster children, teens and transition age youth, increase access to care, and build healthier communities.

“UnitedHealthcare’s generous grant will provide much needed support to our ongoing efforts to stabilize struggling families in North Carolina,” said Marc Murphy, CEO, Boys & Girls Home. “Children in foster care often come to us having experienced trauma and behind their peers in so many key developmental areas. This collaboration will enable our staff to expand services to improve health outcomes for more children and families in our area.”