JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), has approved $761,000 in grants to be awarded this winter to 11 nonprofit Florida organizations providing health-related services to in-need Floridians.

"Around 20 percent of Florida residents are uninsured," said Susan Towler, executive director of The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida. "That's more than 3.8 million people who may forgo important medical care if they don't have access to free and low-cost services. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is proud to support organizations working to help Floridians who do not have access to traditional health care options."

Recipients, grant totals and program areas funded are:

• Alert Health, Inc. (formerly Hep-C Alert, Inc.) -- $100,000 -- linkage coordinator, lab counselor, cholesterol and glucose tests to support preventative health screenings in North Miami.

• Clinica Luz Del Mundo (Light of the World Clinic) -- $100,000 -- case manager/community outreach coordinator, medical assistant, supplies and lab fees to increase patient capacity in a free medical clinic in Broward County.

• Lakeland Volunteers In Medicine -- $44,877 -- women's health services for uninsured women of Polk County.

• Manatee County Rural Health Services, Inc. -- $97,250 -- registered dietician and health educator to help patients from Manatee, Desoto and a portion of Sarasota counties manage their diabetes.

• Marion County Children's Advocacy Center, Inc. -- $80,960 -- therapist and child advocate supporting child abuse victims in Marion County.

• Miami Beach Community Health Center, Inc. -- $100,000 -- physician and clinician to provide primary healthcare to uninsured and underinsured South Florida residents.

• Orange County Health Department -- $100,000 -- oral health services for uninsured African-American women of Orange County who are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

• Refuge House, Inc. -- $10,000 -- health and outreach services for more victims of domestic and sexual violence in the Big Bend area via a clinic expansion.

• Safehouse of Seminole, Inc. -- $10,500 -- prescription and over-the-counter medications, emergency room visits, first aid and hygiene supplies for domestic violence victims in Seminole County.

• Vision is Priceless Council. -- $57,413 -- increased eye examinations and treatment for in-need residents of Clay and Nassau counties.

• The Volunteers In Medicine Clinic -- $60,000 -- bilingual diabetes educator, nurse practitioner and bilingual educational materials for Martin County patients.

The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida is a separate, philanthropic affiliate of BCBSF incorporated in the state of Florida. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, and its parent, BCBSF, are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information on The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, please visit its Web site at www.bluefoundationfl.com.

Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, The

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