Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is touting the over $4 million in investments it’s made in child welfare programs.
Blue Cross NC officials say that since 2019, the organization has directed funding to programs and initiatives that support children, youth, and families involved with the state’s child welfare system. They say that their advocacy has helped grow the number of available foster families, address mental health needs, and create paths for youth transitioning out of foster care.
Investments totaling over $4.3 million have been made in 49 organizations that benefit all of the state’s 100 counties.
One example officials point to is SaySo, a statewide association with a program that offers housing assistance to veterans of foster care, group homes, or mental health placements. SaySo has local chapters in Guilford, Forsyth, Randolph, Surry, and Stokes counties, among others.
Another beneficiary is the Charlotte-based Alexander Youth Network, which offers mental health programs and services.
According to a Blue Cross NC news release, roughly 31,000 children in North Carolina are in foster care, getting adoption assistance, or are former foster youth under the age of 26.