This Thursday, November 21 ^st, Centene Corporation, its subsidiary Cenpatico, and Children's National Health System will host an anti-bullying event at Friendship Public Charter School at Blow Pierce Elementary and Blow Pierce Middle School in Northeast Washington, D.C. This event is part of a new national initiative to prevent bullying among school-aged children. The "No Bullying Zone" event will feature renowned children's author Michelle Bain, reading a new anti-bullying book called Splotch the Madpole which was co-authored with Centene, Cenpatico and anti-bullying expert Dr. Joseph Wright of Children's National Health System, who will also be in attendance. The event will also feature a performance by Washington, D.C.'s own "X Factor" Finalist and Epic Records artist Marcus Canty as well as an anti-bullying "graffiti wall" where children will write positive messages about themselves and their friends. This new national initiative was launched during National Anti-bullying Awareness Month in October and aims to educate students, teachers and parents on how to prevent, identify and appropriately intervene when bullying threatens school-aged children.

At the event, the following individuals will be available for interviews: Mary Mason, M.D., Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer for Centene; Sam Donaldson, President  & Chief Executive Officer for Cenpatico; Joseph Wright, M.D., Senior Vice President of Community Affairs and the Child Health Advocacy Institute at Children's National Health System; and Dr. Jeffery Grant, School Principal of Friendship Public Charter School Blow Pierce Elementary School and Blow Pierce Middle School Campus.

About Centene Corporation

Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care and Long-term Care (LTC), in addition to other state-sponsored/hybrid programs, and Medicare (Special Needs Plans). The Company operates local health plans and offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, care management software, correctional systems healthcare, life and health management, managed vision, pharmacy benefits management and telehealth services.

About Cenpatico

Cenpatico's expertise lies in managing benefits for vulnerable populations. Our healthcare specialties include behavioral health, foster care, school-based services, specialty therapy and rehabilitation, community reentry and more. We have managed Medicaid and other public sector benefits since 1994; currently, we serve more than 2.5 million members nationally. Our headquarters are in Austin, Texas and we have local teams across the country in the markets we serve. Cenpatico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation. We are committed to innovative solutions and designing programs tailored to improving functional outcomes with our members.

About Children's National Health System

Children's National Health System, based in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Children's National's hospital is Magnet® designated, and is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S. News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. Home to the Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is one of the nation's top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. With a community-based pediatric network, eight regional outpatient centers, an ambulatory surgery center, two emergency rooms, an acute care hospital, and collaborations throughout the region, Children's National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as an advocate for all children. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Friendship Public Charter School

Friendship Public Charter School is the largest network of public charter school network in the District of Columbia.  Founded in 1997, Friendship serves nearly 4,000 pre-K through twelfth grade District students in underserved communities at six campuses and prepares them for the academic rigor of a college education.  Friendship's flagship public charter high school, Collegiate Academy in D.C.'s Ward Seven, has an on-time high school graduation rate of 95 percent.  The average high-school graduation rate for D.C. Public Schools is 56 percent and the average for D.C. charter schools is 77 percent.  Fully 100 percent of the graduating class is accepted to college.  This month, Friendship's Chamberlain elementary and middle school campus was recognized as a Tier 1, high performing, public charter school campus by the D.C. Public Charter School Board. Friendship's mission is to provide a world-class education that motivate students to achieve high academic standards, enjoy learning and develop as ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens who contribute actively to their communities.

/PRNewswire -- Nov. 20, 2013/ 

SOURCE Centene Corporation