Centene recognized with Auburn University's Corporate Anti-Bullying Hero Award

Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) announced today that the company received the Corporate Anti-Bullying Hero Award at Auburn University's Anti-Bullying Summit in Peachtree City, Georgia.

Centene and its behavioral health management subsidiary, Cenpatico, were recognized for their partnership with Children's National Health System and Howard University to stop bullying through education and empowerment.

The Anti-Bullying Campaign, "No Bullying Zone," sought to educate students, teachers, and parents across the country on how to prevent, identify, and appropriately intervene with bullying in school-aged children. The initiative kicked off in October 2013 during the National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, and continues for three years.

"The 'No Bullying Zone' initiative has made a tangible impact in anti-bullying education and awareness among school-aged children. Centene is honored to have our efforts recognized by Auburn University," said Dr. Mary Mason, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Specialty Companies at Centene.

In the first year, Centene used its established Adopt-a-School Program to conduct assemblies at schools across the country with award-winning children's author Michelle Bain reading her book Splotch the Madpole Does a Whole Lot of Bullying. The assemblies also included a traveling graffiti wall where students could write positive messages. At the end of the campaign, the wall traveled over 16,000 miles to 19 schools.

In addition to receiving the Corporate Hero Award, Centene hosted a panel discussion at the Summit. No Bullying Zone: The Intersection of Bullying and Behavioral Health became an interactive discussion among four panelists:

• Dr. Mary Mason, Centene Corporation, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Specialty Companies
• Jeff Luce, Cenpatico, Clinical Director
• Colleen Duewel, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Director of Education, Training and Peer Support Center
• Dr. Jeffrey Grant, Friendship Blow Pierce Junior Academy, Principal

The next phase of the "No Bullying Zone" initiative will be focused on providing tools, resources and training for parents and educators to address bullying in schools.