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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Marty Johnson, (202) 420-7424; mjohnson@communityplans.net

ACAP Recognizes Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania With 2026 Supporting the Safety Net Award

WASHINGTON — The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) last week presented its twenty-first annual Supporting the Safety Net Award to the Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania (VOAPA), an organization committed to empowering low-income individuals, families, and communities across the state through housing, family support, and community health programs. The nonprofit combines human-centered services with data-driven, community-based solutions to address local needs, strengthen community stability, and improve outcomes for Pennsylvanians facing economic and social challenges.

“A defining tenet of our Safety Net Health Plans is that they make dedicated, conscious efforts to extend their services beyond the doctor’s office and work to address social drivers of health, such as employment, nutrition, education — and, in this case, housing,” ACAP CEO Margaret A. Murray said. “Having access to safe and affordable housing can make a tremendous difference in someone’s health over the long term. We’re proud to honor VOAPA for all the work they’ve done to provide stable shelter for people in northeast Pennsylvania who need it.”

VOAPA is a community-based organization that works across approximately 25 counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Deeply rooted and trusted by the communities and individuals it serves, VOAPA holistically approaches health related social needs as part of its housing, healthcare, and children and youth work across the state.

“Housing is essential in order to take the first step towards health; without safe and stable housing, individuals cannot begin to truly address mental or physical health issues,” said Jodina Hicks, president of Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania, who accepted the award. “Managed care partners like Geisinger have allowed VOAPA to fill essential needs like food for our pantries, emergency housing support for women experiencing homelessness, and diapers and formulas for moms and babies during a vulnerable time in their lives.”

VOAPA was nominated for the award by Geisinger Health Plan.

“The work we do is made possible through strong partnerships with community-based organizations that are deeply connected to the people they serve,” Geisinger Chief Population Health and Quality Officer Allison Hess said. “VOAPA’s outstanding work demonstrates the meaningful impact that can be achieved when health care organizations and community partners come together to support healthier communities.”

Geisinger’s nomination is a testament to VOAPA’s role as a trusted partner whose work addresses housing instability, maternal health needs, food insecurity, and other social determinants of health across northeast Pennsylvania. For example, since May 2024, Ruth’s Place — the sole 24/7 emergency shelter for unhoused women in Luzerne County — has provided emergency shelter and supportive services to 293 women, achieving an 89 percent success rate in helping residents transition to temporary or permanent housing. Additionally, the VOAPA Wilkes-Barre Food Pantry has served over 2,400 individuals experiencing food insecurity in the past year. Moreover, between February and June of this year, VOAPA’s maternal health outreach program has supported over 250 individuals.

The Supporting the Safety Net Award recognizes a community-based organization or individual that has implemented exemplary, inventive programs to meet the health needs of high-risk populations and can serve as a model of best practices for other communities. Read more at communityplans.net.

ABOUT VOAPA
VOA is one of the nation’s largest, established comprehensive human services organizations with 15,000 mission-driven professionals, dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. Founded in 1896, VOA has programs in 47 states, including the VOA of Delaware Valley, VOAPA’s parent organization. VOAPA was founded in 1896 and is committed to equitably serving low-income communities, families, and individuals throughout Pennsylvania through children & family, housing, and community health care services. VOAPA works directly with 3,500 individuals each year, 100% in home or in the community, inclusive of supporting and/or developing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing.

ABOUT GEISINGER
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in rural and urban communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $9 billion in annual revenues across more than 130 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with 509,000+ enrollees in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 600 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,600 clinical research studies. With 28,000 employees, including 1,900 employed physicians and 5,400 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $18 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org

ABOUT ACAP
The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) is a national trade association representing 92 not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans. Collectively, ACAP plans serve more than 30 million enrollees through Medicaid, Medicare, Marketplaces, and other public health coverage programs. ACAP’s mission is to strengthen not-for-profit Safety Net Health Plans in their work to improve the health and well-being of people with limited resources or significant health needs.

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