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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2019
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515

A.J. FARRIA OF AMERIHEALTH CARITAS LOUISIANA WINS ACAP’s MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD

BATON ROUGE, La. —Today the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) honored A.J. Farria of AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana with the organization’s national Making a Difference Award.

With the Making a Difference Award, ACAP recognizes an employee of a member plan who goes above and beyond his or her job’s responsibilities to improve their community, empower vulnerable populations, and address community needs.

Ms. Farria serves as supervisor for AmeriHealth Caritas’ Community Health Navigation team in Louisiana. She facilitates workshops and trainings that promote dialogue and the breakdown of barriers, as well as helps coordinate care and community resources for members. Ms. Farria works with people who struggle with substance use, mental health, transitioning from incarceration, and other difficult experiences. Her openness and honesty about her personal struggles in overcoming trauma, mental health challenges, and homelessness allow her to foster trust with people who may otherwise be hard to reach.

She also trains others, such as case managers, in mental health advocacy, recognition, and management to mitigate stigma and support people who may suffer from substance use and mental health challenges.

Ms. Farria’s strong commitment to advocacy began as a Community Health Worker and subsequently becoming a certified HIV testing counselor. This experience brought her to work with people from all walks of life. She has also been recognized for her volunteer efforts, being named the New Orleans Regional AIDS 2004 volunteer of the year.

“Even before her work at AmeriHealth Caritas, A.J. has sought to help everyone have equitable access to quality health care, no matter their situation. Her compassion and drive to help our community are contagious,” said Kyle Viator, AmeriHealth Caritas Market President of Louisiana. “A.J. is more than deserving of this recognition. We are incredibly lucky to have someone with her experience and resiliency be part of our team.”

“The Making a Difference Award is about passion and purpose. That’s why Ms. Farria is a natural fit,” said ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “One of the reasons her work with the Community Health Navigation Team is so meaningful is that she takes on the hardest challenges. She’s an inspiration to us all.”

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About ACAP
ACAP represents 66 Safety Net Health Plans, which provide health coverage to more than 20 million people in 29 states. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly-sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana
AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana is one of five Medicaid managed care plans that participate in the Healthy Louisiana program. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana helps Louisiana families get proper care and stay well. AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana works with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, go to www.amerihealthcaritasla.com.