STEUBENVILLE – East Palestine families affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment are getting some more help, thanks to the generosity of CVS Aetna.

Officials collaborated with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s OhioRISE program and provided boxes with water, cleaning supplies and snacks to 38 families served by the program after they were temporarily displaced during the incident in February. JCESC, which is one of 18 care management entities (CME’s) and represents Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Columbiana, Monroe, Tuscarawas and Stark counties under the program, previously united with Aetna Better Health of Ohio, which serves as OhioRISE managed care partner, to aid five families in that community with a contribution of cleaning supplies.

CME Program Director Linda Trushel said CVS Aetna also wanted to do their part to help the residents resume their lives.

“The delivery was from CVS Aetna as part of their community outreach and philanthropy programming,” Trushel said. “They heard about it on the news and knew we served families there. The care coordinators are taking it to the homes of families we serve through OhioRise who were affected by the train derailment.”

She was contacted by Amy Swanson, OhioRISE contract administrator and state liaison, while representatives Jill Tayfel, Anne Spelic, Sharon Ions, Terri Parisi, Laura Buckman and Faith Weiner were also involved. Officials contributed water bottles, granola bars, popcorn, gloves, paper towels, window cleaner and wipes and the items were boxed by OhioRISE Care Coordinator Mandi Wells and her daughter, Presley. A total of 38 boxes were then distributed in the community.

“Getting these donations will be a help to our families affected by the train derailment in East Palestine,” Trushel added. “Our care coordinators are happy to deliver the items to the homes of the families we serve in OhioRISE.”

OhioRISE, which stands for Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence, is a specialized Medicaid managed care system for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs. The program has offices in Steubenville and Canton and currently serves 250 families. Care management coordinators help complete a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment to determine eligibility and offer referrals for counseling, therapy and finding community resources. Assistance is rendered for mental health and substance use while youth with multi-system needs are often involved in community systems such as juvenile justice, child protection, developmental disabilities, education and addiction treatment. Children covered by Medicaid will obtain assistance and those with private insurance can receive a waiver for help. For more information, contact Trushel at 740-406-0440 or go online at Care Management Entity (jcesc.k12.oh.us). A 24-hour crisis hotline is also available at 740-792-4012.