September 26, 2018 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Urban League of Louisiana Media Contact:
Cathy Washington
504-620-2332
cwashington@urbanleaguela.org
 
Aetna Media Contact:
Kristin Li
212-457-0633
LiK1@aetna.com

 

New Orleans, LA, September 26, 2018 – Urban League of Louisiana is pleased to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from Aetna Better Health of Louisiana. The grant will support the Career Pathways Program in the Greater Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. The two organizations will collaborate to help formerly incarcerated persons successfully transition into the workforce and reenter their communities.
The check presentation will take place today, Wednesday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m. during the Urban League’s Annual Suits for Hire Career and Resource Fair, held in the Hilton Riverside Hotel Grand Ballroom, New Orleans. In 2017, more than 500 attendees had an opportunity to visit with over 75 employers from various industries throughout the region. This year’s event is expected to attract even more career seekers.
“Cross-sector collaboration is an effective model for serving the most vulnerable populations”, said Judy Reese Morse, President and CEO, Urban League of Louisiana. “As we continue to create strategies to address the needs of career seekers, the Urban League of Louisiana is pleased to work with Aetna Better Health of Louisiana to support comprehensive workforce services to facilitate successful reentry of returning citizens into their communities and the workplace.”
Roughly 50 percent of the offender population is assigned to state correctional facilities, while the other half is assigned to local-level jails and transitional work programs. Each year, approximately 18,000 offenders are released from state prisons and jails to communities across Louisiana. Many face challenges of finding a place to live, finding employment, and accessing services and programs that will assist them in successfully reintegrating into their communities.
“Collaborating with organizations such as the Urban League is a priority for us at Aetna Better Health,” said Rick Born CEO of Aetna Better Health of Louisiana. “These partnerships allow us to bring vital resources to the reentry population and provide the opportunity for them to gain experience, tools, support and skills that will enhance their capacity to succeed in the workforce.”
About Urban League
Celebrating 80 years of service, the Urban League of Louisiana works to enable African-Americans and other communities seeking equity to secure economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights. The Urban League’s three Centers of Excellence are focused in the areas of education and youth development, workforce and economic development, and public policy and advocacy. For more information on the Urban League of Louisiana, visit us online at www.urbanleaguela.org.
 
About Aetna Medicaid
Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid) has over 30 years of experience managing the care of the most medically vulnerable, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has particular expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve 2.8 million people in 15 states, including Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Texas. For more information on Aetna Medicaid, see www.aetnabetterhealth.comFor more information on Aetna Better Health® of Louisiana, please visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com/louisiana.