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Peach State Health Plan Builds Upon Community Partnership with Barrow County Schools to Support Student Health and Readiness

News Provided by PR Newswire2025-07-30

Peach State Health Plan Builds Upon Community Partnership with Barrow County Schools to Support Student Health and Readiness

[30-July-2025]

ATLANTA, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Peach State Health Plan ("PSHP"), a leading managed care organization in Georgia and a company of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) ("Centene"), continues to deepen its collaboration with the Barrow County School System through community-focused initiatives that prioritize student wellness, academic readiness, and family support.

Following the success of the Barrow Together CommUNITY Fest in May 2025, PSHP partnered once again with Barrow County Schools to support the annual Back-to-BOLD back-to-school event held on July 25, 2025. This growing partnership reflects a shared commitment to holistic student development by addressing health, education, and access needs at the community level. Held at Apalachee High School, the event drew thousands of attendees and served as another healing and unifying moment for the community, nearly a year after a tragic school shooting.

A key highlight was the collaboration between PSHP, Centene Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Centene, and national nonprofit Shoes That Fit, which donated 1,000 pairs of new shoes to students regardless of their health plan membership, ensuring they step into the classroom with confidence and dignity.

"My heart is full. This is what makes our community so special. Whenever we ask, our neighbors and community partners exceed our expectations to provide for our students. We are grateful for organizations like Peach State Health Plan and Shoes That Fit, churches, businesses, and individuals who donated their time and resources to help families start the school year with needed health screenings, immunizations, school supplies, new shoes, and fresh haircuts," said Dr. Dallas LeDuff, Barrow County School System Superintendent.

Additionally, the Centene Vision Van was on-site offering free eye exams and prescription glasses. Emotional testimonials from families emphasized the event's impact on restoring trust, creating positive memories, and getting needed resources to help families prepare for the upcoming school year.

"Strong partnerships are the foundation of strong communities," said Clyde A. White, President and CEO of Peach State Health Plan. "By working together with Barrow County Schools and organizations like Shoes That Fit, we are not only preparing students for school but also investing in their long-term success and well-being."

Free backpacks and mental health support resources were also available underscoring the power of public-private partnerships to remove barriers and uplift families. PSHP remains committed to expanding opportunities and reducing disparities for Georgia's children, helping every student reach their fullest potential.

About Peach State Health Plan
Peach State Health Plan is a care management organization that serves the needs of Georgians through a range of health insurance solutions. Peach State Health Plan serves the Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® population in partnership with Georgia Families. The organization also focuses on under-insured and uninsured individuals through its federal insurance marketplace plan, Ambetter, and its Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan. Peach State Health Plan is a Centene company, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives. For more information visit www.pshpgeorgia.com.

About Barrow County School System
Barrow County School System is BOLDly Committed to Student Success and serves nearly 15,500 students in the metro-Atlanta area. We are the 24^th largest school system in Georgia and the 4^th largest Charter System.

About Centene Foundation
The Centene Foundation (the "Foundation"), a private nonprofit focused on investing in economically challenged communities, is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation (NYSE:CNC) ("Centene"). The Foundation supports projects and initiatives strategically aligned with Centene's mission-driven culture and enhances the work Centene is doing to remove the barriers to wellness underserved and low-income populations face. The Foundation is committed to addressing social drivers of health and improving health equity in three distinct areas of focus: healthcare access, social services and education. To learn more, visit the Centene Foundation's website.

About Shoes That Fit
A national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Claremont, CA., Shoes That Fit tackles one of the most visible signs of poverty in America by giving children in need new athletic shoes to attend school with dignity and joy, prepared to learn, play and thrive. Named a California Nonprofit of the Year, Shoes That Fit delivered new athletic shoes to over 180,000 children across 50 states last year alone. Help ensure that no child misses school because they don't have shoes that fit by visiting our website http://www.shoesthatfit.org.