ACAP Honors Project Destiny with 2018 Supporting the Safety Net Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2018
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 
Jeff Van Ness, (202) 204-7515

ACAP HONORS PROJECT DESTINY WITH 2018 SUPPORTING THE SAFETY NET AWARD

WASHINGTON—Today, the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) presented its thirteenth annual Supporting the Safety Net Award to Project Destiny, an organization which aims to empower inner city youth and their families throughout the greater Pittsburgh community. The Supporting the Safety Net Award distinguishes an individual or community organization that creates innovative programs to help mitigate health needs of vulnerable populations and serves as an example concerning best practices for communities. The award was presented at ACAP’s Annual CEO Summit in Washington, D.C.

“The importance of partnerships developed between safety net health plans and community-based organizations proves crucial in bettering quality of life,” stated ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray. “We’re happy to recognize Project Destiny’s efforts as an effective community organization with this award.”

Since 2004, Project Destiny has served as a haven for children ages 10 to 18 to cultivate positive relationships, develop positive self-esteem and grow as individuals. The organization hopes to build skills within vulnerable youth to inspire them to become community leaders. Their focus lies with youth, but the organization serves community members of all ages.

They serve more than two thousand children and their families per year.

“Project Destiny has improved countless lives with their presence in the community. The variety of programs they provide, such as support groups, cultural and educational programming and exciting activities, are models that other organizations dedicated to the safety net can and should follow,” said Gateway Health CEO Patricia Darnley. “We are proud of their commitment to our community.”

In reaching their goal of youth empowerment, Project Destiny has developed two afterschool programs. Students receive tutoring in homework, a hot meal, and the option to attend monthly fieldtrips. Project Destiny also offers a six-week summer camp. Its activities emphasize improving social behaviors and attitudes, teamwork and cooperation. As part of the summer camp, they also provide an overnight excursion the International Conservation Center in Somerset, Pa.

They also work closely with community partners. Project Destiny is the lead participant in the BUILD Health Challenge Grant. This two-year grant seeks to reach the most vulnerable populations residing in the area and link them to outreach workers in improving care coordination, connect them to a centralized wellness center and utilize data collection to track lifestyle improvements and overall health outcomes.

Another initiative they take part in is called Youth and Family Engagement. Partnered with Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services, this initiative engages with families experiencing parent/teen conflicts and social or emotional crises. This program aims to help families work through their issues and prevent them from entering the child welfare system.

To learn more about Project Destiny, visit http://www.projectdestinypgh.org/

For more on the Supporting the Safety Net award, visit https://www.communityplans.net/supporting-the-safety-net-award/

 

About ACAP
ACAP represents 62 Safety Net Health Plans, which provide health coverage to more than 21 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 health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net.

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