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BETHLEHEM, PA (June 17, 2021) – The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District announced a donation of $2,500 from the Magellan Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to focusing on efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and related social supports. This contribution will support the newly established Wellness Center at Liberty High School.
Liberty High School has adopted a plan to become a trauma informed school by facing their challenges head on by partnering with parents and community organizations, connecting students to resources and caring adults, and educating the school and community. This includes developing an understanding of the effects of trauma, creating and providing student resources to work through their trauma. The Wellness Center at Liberty High School was developed in response to the nationwide mental health epidemic and considerable lack of therapeutic resources. Opening in the fall of 2020, the Wellness Center is a center point of mental health services for Liberty students, staff, and families providing a safe, sensory, and peaceful space to calm individuals through various activities such as counseling, occupational therapy, executive functioning, and mindfulness.
“The donation from the Magellan Cares Foundation will support and expand activities to provide students mental health, behavioral and emotional support to students in order to access the learning environment and develop life-long skills,” said Claire Hogan, Chief Pupil Services Officer for Bethlehem Area School District.
The Wellness Center is made up of four offices, a conference room, and a Peace Room. Three social workers and a coordinator for student services work in the office space, providing ongoing therapy to our students both in person and in virtual formats. Through a partnership with Moravian College, occupational therapist interns provide student support in the Peace Room. In addition, the Wellness Center provides wellness programming for the entire school community. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness activities were offered virtually this year and will continue in person for the 2021-22 school year.
“At Magellan Healthcare, we are committed to supporting our communities. We are proud to coolaborate with The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District to support the Wellness Center at Liberty High School,” said Thomas Walker, Senior Account Executive for Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania. “Bethlehem Area School District is in many ways leading the way forward in children’s health topics. The new wellness center is one example of many.”
About The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District
Created to strengthen, enhance and enrich the educational experiences for the students of the Bethlehem Area School District, The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District was established in 1999 under the name of Bethlehem Area Education Foundation. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of members of the community working in concert with, but independent of, the Bethlehem Area School District. The Foundation’s focus has been helping educators deliver innovative teaching to students inside and outside the classroom. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Foundation raises funds through tax-deductible contributions to fund programs, projects and initiatives which support their mission. The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District’s mission is to enhance learning opportunities for all students of the Bethlehem Area School District, create family and community partnerships, and support academic innovation.
For more information, visit our website: https://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/thefoundation/
About the Magellan Cares Foundation
The Magellan Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, focuses on efforts to improve access to quality healthcare and related social supports. The foundation supports programs and initiatives in four areas: national or large-scale health access and quality improvement initiatives; efforts that help to improve the social supports around a quality healthcare system, such as access to housing, food, clothing or self-improvement opportunities; local efforts, including legacy initiatives supported by Magellan Health’s employees and; efforts to support America’s military service members, veterans and wounded warriors.
About Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, Inc.
For more than two decades, Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, Inc. has been managing behavioral health services for HealthChoices members. During this time, Magellan has worked closely with its partners–Bucks, Cambria, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties; individuals; providers; and local communities. Magellan is proud of the innovative efforts that have helped to increase access to care, improve service use rates, expand the continuum of services in alignment with evidence-based models, and maximize clinical appropriateness and quality services. For more information, visit www.MagellanofPA.com.
Information provided to TVL on behalf of The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District by:
Barbara Clymer
Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications
Bethlehem Area School District
1516 Sycamore Street
Bethlehem, PA 18017
