CareSource Foundation awards $150,000 to strengthen health care access in southwest Georgia

ALBANY — Albany Area Primary Health Care Inc. and the Sowega Council on Aging have each been awarded $75,000 as part of the 2025 CareSource Foundation Grant Challenge.  

CareSource is a nonprofit managed care organization serving more than 430,000 Georgians. The CareSource Foundation has awarded these grants as part of its commitment to investing in programs that strengthen access to health care. This grant challenge specifically focused on addressing social drivers of health, strengthening maternal and integrated care, and improving quality of life for people who are aged, blind or disabled.   

“Both AAPHC and SCOA align closely with our mission of whole-person care,” David Donohue, president of CareSource Georgia, said in a news release. “Each organization’s work, respectively, demonstrates how community partnerships can create lasting health improvements at all stages of life.” 

AAPHC will use this investment to continue and expand social work engagement, patient navigation, and access to maternal health education and group resources. Their work provides vital support for pregnant women living in rural and/or economically distressed communities, helping reduce barriers to care.  

“This grant will enable us to expand programs that connect expecting mothers to critical health and support services,” Clifton Bush, the COO of Albany Area Primary Health Care, said. “This is so critical because it comes at a time when the medical community desperately wants to avoid maternity care deserts forming here in southwest Georgia. This investment will allow us to continue to further expand the care that we provide for the women and families we serve.” 

Grant funding for SCOA, which is dedicated to helping older adults stay active, connected and supported, will help sustain and expand delivery of targeted programs that reduce social isolation, improve mobility and accessibility, and empower older adults to remain engaged in their communities.  

“Through this grant, SCOA will be able to expand opportunities and continue coordinating services that promote the well-being and independence of older adults,” Izzie Sadler, the executive director of Sowega Council on Aging, said. “We’re thrilled to work with CareSource to create environments where everyone in our community is embraced and supported.” 

Since 2006, the CareSource Foundation has awarded more than $35.5 million to nonprofits working to eliminate poverty, deliver essential services to low- and moderate-income families, promote healthy communities and develop innovative solutions for critical health issues to enhance the lives of children, adults and families.  

 
CareSource is a nonprofit, managed-care organization making health care accessible to 430,000 Georgians. The organization offers comprehensive health insurance plans including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare to improve its members’ health and well-being. As a mission-driven organization, CareSource is transforming health care with innovative programs that address social drivers of health, prevention and access to care. 

For more information, visit www.caresource.com/ga/plans/, or follow on X, LinkedIn or Facebook.