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Press Release: 2011

First Choice Community Center Hosts Annual Back-to-School "Jump Start"

Backpacks, health screenings and supplies help parents and students

Whether it is the never-ending list of required school supplies or the realization that whatever clothing fit in June is now too small, the burden of back-to-school preparation can cause stress on parents and their wallets. On Saturday, July 31, Select Health of South Carolina held its second-annual back-to-school "Jump Start" at the First Choice Community Center to give parents an opportunity to ease into the new school year without breaking the bank. 

"We had a great turnout at this year's back-to-school event," said Lillian Suarez, director of marketing at Select Health. "The First Choice Community Center is a resource for the Columbia community, and we are happy we can help so many families."

More than 875 adults and children attended the event, making it the largest turnout to date. Participants received free health screenings along with backpacks filled with school supplies.

The First Choice Community Center opened in 2009 as a place for low-income Columbia residents to obtain information about services and benefits. It is owned by Select Health, operator of the state's oldest and largest Medicaid health plan, First Choice. The First Choice Community Center has formed relationships with numerous community partners who participate in events and use the center as a resource.

"The community center has really helped us because we don't have the money to rent space," said Maggie Ortiz, Hispanic outreach coordinator for Family Connection of South Carolina. "Thank you for this center. You take care of a lot of people here."

Community partners participating in this year's back-to-school "Jump Start" included: The Boys & Girls Club, Columbia City Parks & Recreation, Eau Claire Cooperative Health Care, Family Connection, Foundation 4Life, Kid's 1st Dental, Kool Smiles, One Stop, Operation Love, PASOS, Small Smiles Dental, Richland School District One and Richland County Library.
 
ABOUT SELECT HEALTH
Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996. Later that year, the company contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, the state’s first Medicaid health plan. Select Health operates South Carolina's largest Medicaid health plan and is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriHealth Mercy. The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies serves three million members nationwide. Select Health has more than 215 dedicated associates working throughout South Carolina. For more information, visit www.selecthealthofsc.com.