Foundation News: Press Releases

FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE

MERRIAM, KANSAS – Eleven Greater Kansas City area health and social service organizations will receive a year of technical assistance to help the organizations improve their capacity to serve diverse populations. The technical assistance is being underwritten by three local funding organizations – the REACH Healthcare Foundation, the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and the Jackson County, Mo., Community Mental Health Fund.

The awards are part of a Cultural Competency Initiative started by the REACH Foundation that aims to reduce health disparities by preparing organizations and workers in health, mental health and human service fields to meet the health needs of racially, ethnically and culturally diverse populations. The initiative focuses on policies, practices and other organizational changes that can influence culturally competent delivery of care.

The REACH Foundation introduced the initiative in 2009 and offered technical assistance to five organizations in the first year. The Health Care Foundation joined the initiative in 2010, expanding the number of participating agencies. The Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund, a tax levy fund, brought additional resources to the initiative in 2012 to support mental health providers in Jackson County, Mo. The latest awards bring the total number of participating organizations to 24.

“Through our investments in health and human services, we recognize that cultural competency is a major factor in how people receive health services and improve their health outcomes,” said Carla Gibson, Senior Program Officer, the REACH Foundation. “Area nonprofit leaders understand the link between cultural competence and health, but don’t have the financial resources to bring in expertise to guide them.”

The eleven organizations selected for 2012 are:

The selected organizations will work with a team of technical assistance consultants to identify areas of need and develop an individualized work plan. In addition, representatives of each organization are invited to participate in a monthly learning community group that provides additional education and connects organizations to local and national resources, and regional conferences on related topics.

 ###

 To learn more, contact:

•  Carla Gibson, Senior Program Officer, REACH Healthcare Foundation, www.reachhealth.org
• Adriana Pecina, Program Officer, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, www.hcfgkc.org
• Theresa Reyes-Cummings, Director of Program Development, Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund, www.jacksoncountycares.org

Download the press release.

Foundation News Release

MERRIAM, KANSAS – The REACH Healthcare Foundation announced program grants totaling $1,228,654 to 14 organizations to support health services for uninsured and medically underserved people in the Foundation’s six-county service area. The program grants covered a range of clinical services and health care settings, from bilingual therapy to school-based mental health services; preventative, restorative and emergency dental care; and care coordination to assist patients with accessing needed medical, mental health and dental care. The grants align with the Foundation’s five-year strategic focus on expanded access to health coverage and care, and increased quality of health services.

The following organizations were awarded grants:

The Children’s Place / Mental Health / $108,779

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Inc. / Oral Health / $95,000

Crittenton Children’s Center / Mental Health / $112,220

DeLaSalle Education Center / Mental Health / $75,245

Hope Family Care Center / Safety Net Services / $50,000

KU Endowment on behalf of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare / Mental Health / $72,435

Lafayette County Health Department / Oral Health / $25,357

Mattie Rhodes Center / Mental Health / $96,222

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Kansas City / Mental Health / $104,000

Niles Home for Children / Mental Health / $89,000

Research Belton Foundation / Oral Health / $123,750

StandUp Blue Springs, Inc. / Oral Health / $63,693

Synergy Services, Inc. / Safety Net Services / $124,273

University of Missouri-Kansas City on behalf of UMKC Miles of Smiles / Oral Health / $88,680

Total Grants Awarded:  $1,228,654

Organizations interested in applying for a grant to the REACH Foundation can find information and eligibility criteria on the web site at http://reachhealth.org/grants/.

Download the press release.

Foundation News Release

TOPEKA, KANSAS – Five health philanthropies that established a fund to help Kansas organizations prepare for health reform announced grants to nine nonprofit organizations totaling $244,800. The grants were awarded through the Affordable Care Act Opportunity Fund, a $450,000 grant pool created by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas Health Foundation, the REACH Healthcare Foundation, the Sunflower Foundation and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. The fund, set up at the Topeka Community Foundation, will continue to accept grant proposals through 2012.

“The fund is designed to help Kansas nonprofit organizations take advantage of federal programs and innovation grants that are being offered as part of implementation of the health reform law,” said Billie Hall, President and CEO of the Sunflower Foundation. “These grants will enable organizations to pursue expansion and innovation grants and funding for collaborative efforts.”

The funded organizations are:

Health Innovations Network of Kansas, $30,000

Kansas Health Institute, Topeka, $30,000

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg, $29,500

PrairieStar Health Center, Hutchinson, $30,000

GraceMed Health Clinic, Wichita, $30,000

First Care Clinic, Hays, $21,800

Flint Hills Community Health Center, Emporia, $28,500

Konza Prairie Community Health Center, Junction City, $30,000

Salina Family Healthcare Center, $15,000

Read the full press release

Access ACA Opportunity Fund information and application

Foundation News Release

Merriam, Kansas – The REACH Healthcare Foundation is seeking applications from community members with an interest in health issues and health care to fill eight positions on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The deadline to apply for the REACH Board is December 31, 2011.

The REACH Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to strengthening health services for low-income and uninsured populations. REACH awards grants to nonprofit organizations in a six-county area encompassing Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas; Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri. The Foundation has invested more than $28 million in grants and initiatives in the region since 2005.

REACH is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors. Board members must be at least 18 years of age and reside in the Foundation’s six-county service area. In selecting members, the Board aims to select candidates who reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the region. In addition, the Board looks for individuals who bring financial, program, health services, nonprofit and/or volunteer experience, and demonstrate an understanding of issues that affect individual and community health.

Individuals interested in applying for the Board must complete a Statement of Interest form and submit a resume by December 31, 2011. The Statement of Interest form and other information is available at www.reachhealth.org under the heading “About Us.”

The Board will select candidates in March 2012 and new members will begin their three-year terms in June 2012.

 Information on the REACH Foundation Board, including details on responsibilities and a roster of current members, summaries is available at www.reachhealth.org. For questions, contact Brenda Sharpe, President and CEO, at (913) 432-4196.

 ###

Board Profiles: Find profiles of REACH Board members at http://reachhealth.org/about/board-of-directors/

Board of Director Qualifications: http://reachhealth.org/about/board-of-directors/directors-qualification-requirements/

For a PDF version of this press release, please click here.

New Clinic Aims to Make Wyandotte County Healthy- Fox News 4

The REACH Foundation will hold two pre-proposal conferences in August to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming competitive grant cycle, which includes Program and Core Operating Grants. The pre-proposal meetings will focus primarily on the first step in the competitive application process – the Letter of Intent, which is due Friday, September 2.

Earlier this year, the REACH Foundation adopted a 2011-2015 strategic plan to guide grant making and initiatives for the next several years. With this strategic plan, there are changes in grant categories, eligibility criteria and the application process. Interested organizations, including current and recent grantees, are encouraged to attend one of two scheduled meetings:

 Monday, August 15, 1-3 p.m.

 The View Community Center
 13500 Byars Road
 Grandview, MO 64030

Tuesday, August 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

West Wyandotte Library Branch
1737 North 82nd St.
Kansas City, KS 66112

RSVPs are not necessary for these meetings.

2012 Grant Guidelines for Program and Core Operating Grants

Strategic Plan Overview

Theory of Change

The REACH Foundation has published its 2010 Annual Report, which provides an overview of grant making activities and financial information for the year.

2010 Annual Report