Latest investments include $1.6 million in grants supporting seven California's non-profit groups tackling substance use disorders and behavioral health disparities in local communities

To address the substance use crisis in California, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Elevance Health Foundation, announced the expansion of its substance use disorder (SUD) grants through an additional $1.6 million in awards to seven new California non-profit organizations. Anthem Blue Cross Foundation has provided more than $3.7 million over the past three years to local non-profit groups to support programs that address mental health, with an emphasis on substance use disorder in California.

“Substance use disorders continue to be a public health challenge that’s taking too big of a toll in our communities across the Golden State,” said Anthem Blue Cross Commercial Plan President Beth Andersen. “We continue to take a holistic approach and focus on local programs aimed at addressing an array of care and service options and working to enhance the quality of life and health of Californians, particularly those who are experiencing substance use disorders, which is a testament to our dedication to provide help beyond just the people we serve, but in the communities where it’s really needed.”

The local multi-year grants focus on reducing substance use disorders and their health impacts through improved access, treatment, prevention, recovery support, and other services. These investments build on previous supports provided by Anthem in California. The following California-based organizations will receive $1.6 million to implement their programs over the next three years:

• Ritter Center
• Glide Foundation
• The Salvation Army Joseph McFee Center
• Felton Institute
• A New Way of Life Re-Entry Project
• New Directions for Women
• Women’s Empowerment

The Foundation also recently announced the launch of a SUD effort with Shatterproof, a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to reversing the addiction health crisis, to bring additional learning to the healthcare community, reduce stigma of individuals with substance use disorders and improve quality of care in California.

“Anthem Blue Cross recognizes the long-standing racial and health inequities in our healthcare system and our society as a whole,” said Les Ybarra, president, Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal Health Plan. “With support through our Foundation, we are working with Shatterproof to address the social drivers and factors creating these disparities to develop sustainable change for how healthcare practitioners treat substance use disorders and ensure all communities have access to recovery and ongoing support.”

About Anthem Blue Cross Foundation

The Anthem Blue Cross Foundation, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Association, is a philanthropic arm of the Elevance Health Foundation. The Foundation works to address health equity by focusing on improving the health of the socially vulnerable through strategic partnerships and programs in our communities with an emphasis on maternal child health; mental health; and food as medicine. Additionally, the Foundation also responds to disasters when our communities need us the most. The Foundation coordinates the company’s year-round Dollars for Dollars program which provides a 100 percent match of associates’ donations, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. To learn more about the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and the Elevance Health Foundation, please visit www.elevancehealth.foundation and its blog at www.medium.com/elevancehealthfoundation.

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