Repack the Backpack event held in Vienna
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VIENNA -- The UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia held its Repack the Backpack program last weekend at the Grand Central Mall.
The initiative distributes complimentary school supplies including notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, paper and other essential items to students and families.
Following record-high back-to-school spending, averaging $890 per family according to the National Retail Federation, many students find their supplies running low in the new year. Recognizing this annual challenge, UniCare's Repack the Backpack initiative aims to help families replenish necessary supplies during the second semester, so students focus on their schooling without interruption.
"Our school support programs are about more than giving out school supplies. We are boosting kids' confidence and promoting educational equity by ensuring more universal access to supplies for academic success," Tadd Haynes, president of UniCare of West Virginia, said. "Education is a critical social driver of health. As part of our ongoing commitment to the whole health of our neighbors across West Virginia, we are proud to offer support and resources that empower students to concentrate on their learning, ultimately contributing to happier, healthier lives."
UniCare representatives also provide resources and information about Medicaid and West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program healthcare coverage.
The ongoing Medicaid "unwinding" process in West Virginia poses challenges for almost half a million Medicaid recipients statewide, with nearly 200,000 enrollees affected up to October 2023 due to ineligibility or procedural issues, the company said. In response, UniCare engages with members across the state, partnering with local agencies, community organizations and providing assistance to healthcare providers.