Local United Way Spotlight: Aetna Partners with Pocono Mountains United Way to Support Early Childhood Education
Aetna Better Health Kids, a CVS Health company, has donated $75,000 to Pocono Mountains United Way, a charity that aims to address social determinants of health for individuals with low income and limited financial resources in Monroe County. The organization works to improve issues related to education, financial stability, and health equity within Monroe County’s most under-resourced communities. The Pocono Mountains United Way is working to increase access to programs such as early childhood education, housing and rental assistance, and food pantries, aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with low income and limited financial resources.
Previous support from Aetna Better Health Kids to Pocono Mountains United Way has helped advance initiatives in early childhood development, such as the Healthy Start Early Childhood Screening program, which has resulted in over 3,500 screenings completed and a 63% increase in referrals from a pre-pandemic baseline. With 43% of Monroe County residents falling into the Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, employed (ALICE) category, there is a critical need for support in this region. Pocono Mountains United Way is committed to being a long-term resource for individuals in the Poconos region, and Aetna Better Health Kids’ ongoing support comes at a crucial time as they continue to implement their three-year strategic plan, enabling them to address the unique challenges faced by individuals in the ALICE category in Monroe County.