New York Healthcare Group Supports Local Non-Profit Providing Sleep Education Initiatives For Low-Income Families

Editor’s note: We will be updating this article to let the community know where these services are available, especially if on the island itself.  There are so many areas where this would be welcome.   Administration for Children’s Services in New York City annually celebrates Safe Sleep Awareness Month, designed to help parents understand the importance of proper clothing and acceptable crib accessories (generally none for infants in cribs – no bumpers or blankets, just a one piece sleep pajama outfit).  Evidence has suggested that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is often caused by the sleep environment, making many of the cases preventable.  There are also brain abnormalities that can cause it.  Prematurity especially is a risk factor for SIDS.  Readers also learned about Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood, which is similar to SIDS except it is applied when older children die from unknown causes.  

We asked: are there any locations or areas on Staten Island that are served by the charity in this article?  

They answered: The organization serves the following entities on Staten Island.

Project Hospitality

Staten Island Giving Circle

Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc.

Beacon Christian Community Health Center

Seamen’s Society for Children & Families

Richmond Early Learning Center

Muslim Sisters of Staten island, Inc

Urban Fairies of Staten Island Community Outreach

LYFE Program – NYC DOE (85 St. Josephs Ave.)

Molina Healthcare of New York Awards $25,000 Grant to Nonprofit for Sleep Education Initiatives Supporting Low-income Families

Fritz Tavarez, Affinity by Molina Healthcare Community Engagement Specialist; Executive Director of Beyond Bedtime, Jamie Dyce; Brian Otway, Manager of Health Plan Growth & Community Engagement, Molina Healthcare of New York.

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ALBANY, N.Y., April 17, 2026 – Molina Healthcare of New York (“Molina”), in collaboration with the Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation (“MolinaCares”) announced a $25,000 donation to Beyond Bedtime, a nonprofit organization providing sleep education programming across New York. The grant will help fund six initiatives including best practice training and sleep workshops in multiple languages for educators, child welfare professionals, social workers, and parents.

The goal of the programs is to help children in economically disadvantaged families create healthy sleep routines. In 2023, approximately 731,672 children—more than 18% of all children in New York—lived in poverty, a rate higher than the national average. Caregivers with low incomes, unstable housing, and irregular working hours, face significant challenges in maintaining consistent bedtime routines for their children.

“We’re incredibly grateful for Molina Healthcare’s continued support,” said Jamie Dyce, executive director of Beyond Bedtime. “Their partnership enables us to help children, especially those facing adversity, discover and experience the superpower of sleep. With that foundation, they can wake up ready to learn, grow, and thrive.”

In addition to the education initiatives, the grant will aid with the purchase of new pajamas and storybooks to help build a stronger connection between child and caregiver through bedtime reading.

“Molina is committed to a whole-person approach to health and sleep is a critical component of wellness,” said Ryan Fogarty, plan president of Molina Healthcare of New York. “By educating families and professionals about the importance of quality sleep and how to achieve it, we are removing an obstacle to academic achievement, positive social interaction, and good physical health.”

About Molina Healthcare of New York

Molina Healthcare of New York, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medicaid, Child Health Plus (CHP), Health & Recovery Plan (HARP), and the Essential Plan in New York. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces.  For more information about Molina Healthcare of New York, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

About The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation
The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc. The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation was created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. 

Banner Image: Fritz Tavarez, Affinity by Molina Healthcare Community Engagement Specialist; Executive Director of Beyond Bedtime, Jamie Dyce; Brian Otway, Manager of Health Plan Growth & Community Engagement, Molina Healthcare of New York. Image Credit – Molina Healthcare