Aetna Better Health Kids invests $120,000 in programs that support children and families

Funding will help connect children and families to educational opportunities, community resources and enriching experiences across Pennsylvania

September 15, 2026 | 2-minute read time

Philadelphia, PA, September 15, 2026 — Aetna Better Health® Kids, a CVS Health company, today announced $120,000 in investments to four organizations serving children and families across the commonwealth. In collaboration with The Salvation Army, Harrisburg University's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art and ArtsQuest, Aetna is supporting school readiness, educational enrichment, entrepreneurship and family-focused programs in communities throughout the state.

"Healthy communities are built when children and families have access to resources that help them learn, grow and succeed," said Nadia Glenn, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Pennsylvania. "Whether it's preparing students for the school year, creating cultural opportunities or helping families achieve economic advancement, these organizations are providing experiences that can have a lasting impact on health and well-being."

Donation recipients and community impact

The Salvation Army’s Western and Eastern Pennsylvania Divisions have been hosting 14 back-to-school events across six counties through community-based gatherings. Funding from Aetna is helping provide essential school supplies such as uniforms, sneakers and backpacks as children return to the classroom. At recent events in Greater Philadelphia, Aetna helped make possible a back-to-school shopping experience for 45 children served by The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia’s shelter programs, where they selected new clothes, shoes and other school necessities. Aetna also supported The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Philadelphia’s Back-to-School Bash and Backpack Giveaway, where more than 500 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to local children.

"Thanks to Aetna’s support, hundreds of children will experience something every child deserves: the excitement of picking out new school clothes and supplies so they can enter the classroom with confidence,” said Lt. Col. Edgar George, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. "Having new items of their own can provide an important sense of normalcy and dignity during a time when so much of their lives may feel uncertain. Together with Aetna, we're helping children start the school year focused not on what they lack, but on learning, growing and the opportunities ahead."

Harrisburg University's Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship helps families build new skills and explore entrepreneurship through programs like Side Hustle School: Family Edition, which empowers 30 families annually to build viable businesses through training, coaching and community showcases. Funding will support the program and related startup services.

Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art offers a unique way to appreciate and engage with art and the environment through its dual mission. The investment will help fund educational programming and community workshops for third grade students in the Upper Darby School District. By bringing art and nature together, the program is designed to foster creativity, curiosity and mental well-being.

ArtsQuest offers arts, education and cultural programs for children, families and the broader community. Aetna’s investment will support educational and family-focused programming connected to the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, including summer camps, field trips and creative workshops that provide opportunities for hands-on artmaking, learning and discovery. Research has found that access to arts and cultural resources is associated with stronger academic outcomes and a greater sense of community, particularly in neighborhoods facing economic challenges.

Through these investments, Aetna Better Health Kids is committed to supporting programs that strengthen family connections, encourage learning and help build stronger communities across Pennsylvania.

About Aetna Medicaid

Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC (Aetna Medicaid), a CVS Health company, has over 30 years of experience managing the care of under-resourced populations, using innovative approaches and a local presence in each market to achieve both successful health care results and effective cost outcomes. Aetna Medicaid has expertise serving high-need Medicaid members, including those who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Currently, Aetna Medicaid owns and/or administers Medicaid managed health care plans under the names of Aetna Better Health and other affiliate names. Together, these plans serve members in 15 states, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. For more information, see www.aetnabetterhealth.com.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a leading health solutions company simplifying health care one person, one family and one community at a time. As of June 30, 2026, the Company had approximately 9,000 retail pharmacy locations, more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care medical clinics and a leading pharmacy benefits manager with approximately 87 million plan members. The Company also serves an estimated 37 million people through a broad range of health insurance products and related services. The Company's integrated model uses personalized, technology driven services to connect people to simply better health, increasing access to quality care, delivering better outcomes, and lowering overall costs.