Easterseals Southwest Florida announced today it will receive a grant of $30,000 to support educational services at its Easterseals Academy for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. The grant is part of a national $2.55 million donation CareSource, a nationally recognized leader in managed care. Funding from the grant to Easterseals Southwest Florida will support Easterseals Academy, a specialized educational option for children in grades K-12 living with intellectual and physical disabilities. Therapy integrated into the school day allows students to stay in school and to make positive progression toward their education and therapy goals. For more than 30 years, CareSource enterprise has built trusted relationships with the mission of transforming health care with innovative programs and a family-centered model of care that address the social determinants of health, health equity, prevention and access to care. CareSource and its family of brands have been a part of improving quality of services offered to Floridians since 2019. The nonprofit, nationally recognized managed care organization serves over 2.3 million members and administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. The organization offers health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare products. CareSource also recently expanded its national footprint and ability to serve more members with complex needs by acquiring The Columbus Organization, which partners with health care agencies and provider organizations in 12 states to support individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health challenges through its staffing, quality improvement and care coordination services. Annual CareSource grants of $725,000 will support the work of select Easterseals Affiliates nationwide, the work of Easterseals’ national office, and the organization’s Project on Education and Community Health Equity, an initiative focused on addressing the educational and health care needs of children with disabilities, including children with disabilities of color, so they are kindergarten ready and can reach their full potential. Another round of funding for Easterseals affiliates’ programs and services will be announced in late 2023.