Proactive initiative is designed to help students connect with their classmates and cultivate healthier futures.

TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Coordinated Care, a Washington managed care organization and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) is partnering with Seattle Seahawks legend Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones again this year to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day on February 12, with 6^th graders from Illahee Middle School in Federal Way. Thirty-five schools across Washington and 5,000 schools across the country participated in the in the Sandy Hook Promise program which helps students understand and respect differences, find common ground, and connect with and stand up for their classmates.  

"The well‑being of our young people is not just a priority, it is a responsibility we all share," said Coordinated Care President and CEO Beth Johnson. "Today's youth face mental health challenges too often compounded by the impact of bullying and social pressures. Coordinated Care is committed to investing in youth mental health and fostering communities where we create safe environments, speak openly about mental health, and every young person feels supported."

According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, teenagers who felt lonely were 22 percent more likely to receive lower grades in school. Loneliness and social isolation were cited with direct correlation to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, and thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation. The same study also linked social connection to improved physical and mental health.

"I love joining Coordinated Care in their work to support kids across the state," said Walter Jones. "Every kid deserves to feel included and valued and I'm here to tell students that they're not alone. No One Eats Alone Day encourages youth to come together at a time in their lives where they may feel out of place and find that common ground."

Participating schools receive a free Belonging Box, which includes lesson plans on recognizing emotions, understanding social isolation, and fostering social connections. The box also includes a student leadership guide, conversation starters to help students connect with someone new, and materials for Connect the Dots—an innovative art project that helps students share things about themselves and learn more about their classmates. All materials are available in English and Spanish.

"Social isolation harms children both physically and mentally in terms of detrimental health impacts – some of which can be long-term – and it's also a major risk factor and warning sign for extreme situations like self-harm and violence," said Nicole Hockley, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, who joined the event in Federal Way this year. "The power of personal connections is profoundly transformative, and that's what's so special about No One Eats Alone Day. Simple acts of kindness have the power to pull kids back from the brink – not only saving lives but changing them for the better."

Coordinated Care and The Centene Foundation have supported National No One Eats Alone Day since 2016. In Washington, additional No One Eats Alone Day events are being held at:

• Brewster Middle School (Brewster)
• Carmichael Middle School (Richland)
• Chief Joseph Middle School (Richland)
• Eastgate Elementary (Kennewick)
• Foothills Middle School (Wenatchee)
• Frontier Middle School (Moses Lake)
• Fuerza Elementary (Kennewick)
• Granger Middle School (Granger)
• Horse Heaven Middle School (Kennewick)
• Housel Middle School (Prosser)
• Kennewick High School (Kennewick)
• Kilo Middle School (Federal Way)
• Lakeview Terrace Elementary (Moses Lake)
• New Horizons High School (Pasco)
• Palisades Elementary (Palisades)
• Richland High School (Richland)
• Sageview High School (Pasco)
• Southgate Elementary (Kennewick)
• Southridge High School (Kennewick)
• Springbrook Elementary (Kent)
• Sunset View Elementary (Kennewick)
• TAF@Saghalie (Federal Way)
• Tapteal Elementary (West Richland)
• Triumph Teen Life Center (Mount Vernon)
• Virgie Robinson Elementary (Pasco)

For more information on this program and how you can get involved, visit nooneeatsalone.org.

About Coordinated Care
Coordinated Care provides free and low-cost health insurance coverage to more than 300,000 Medicaid, foster care, Medicare and Marketplace (Exchange) members across Washington, with more than 47,000 providers in-network. Coordinated Care is committed to transforming the health of the community one person at a time. They treat the whole person by breaking down barriers to accessing care, walking members through their benefits, and connecting them to the care they need. Coordinated Care is a Washington managed care organization and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives.

To learn more about Coordinated Care's work to invest in Washington communities, visit www.CoordinatedCareHealth.com/WA-first.

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SOURCE Coordinated Care