LYNCHBURG, Va. (February 8, 2001) Centra Health has been designated as a Health System/Hospital of Promise by America's Promise—The Alliance for Youth. A nonprofit organization led by Gen. Colin L. Powell, America's Promise is designed to improve the lives of at-risk children while providing resources in their local communities to help them lead healthy and productive lives.

Centra Health, the Centra Health Foundation and the Central Virginia Regional Community of Promise Initiative, administered by the Central Virginia United Way, are working together to provide support and programs for children in the community. The Central Virginia Regional Community of Promise Initiative is comprised of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties, and the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford.

By becoming a Health System/Hospital of Promise, Centra Health is committed to providing the five promises needed for local children as designated by America's Promise. They are: ongoing relationships with caring adults, safe places with structured activities during non-school hours, a healthy start and future, marketable skills through effective education, and opportunities to give back through community service.

In support of this commitment, Centra Health's Johnson Health Center leads "Project Connect," a program to reach and enroll uninsured children in the Virginia Children's Medical Security Insurance Program (CMSIP). The Virginia Health Care Foundation awarded Johnson Health Center a $91,028 grant to support Project Connect. Project Connect, which leads a regional coalition, has screened more than 1,000 children and enrolled more than 500 in either Medicaid or CMSIP.

In addition, the Centra Health Foundation has provided more than $527,000 in grants to support children in central Virginia through the following grants:

• $27,718 for Advocates for Children, a combination of school-based health and safety projects, including bike helmet safety and violence prevention.
• $91,044 for the Amherst County Dental Program.
• $24,810 for the Bedford School Nurse Program.
• $7,822.52 for blood glucose meters in Region 2000 public schools.
• $250,000 for Centra Health Gallery – Amazement Square.
• $25,000 for an education/recreation center at the Jubilee Family Development Center.
• $22,000 for Holiday Lake health care facility renovations and summer health education programs.
• $1,960 for K.I.S.S.N. teen abstinence program.
• $7,500 for Kid's Haven – Reaching Out to Teens in Grief.
• $7,985 to the Central Virginia Governor's School.
• $30,000 to Stars for Success program at Johnson Health Center.
• $15,000 for Beds and Britches (B.A.B.E.) program to encourage pregnant women to seek appropriate prenatal help.
• $17,000 for the Regional Perinatal Coordinating Council's Infant Mortality Review.

For more information contact:
Bonnie Tate, Coordinator
Communications/Marketing
(804) 947-3131