Interest Areas

Since 2004, the REACH Foundation has invested in programs and initiatives to increase quality and access to health care for uninsured and medically underserved people in the Foundation’s six-county geographic service area.

As part of the REACH Foundation’s 2011-2015 strategic plan, the Board of Directors identified two goals that will guide grant making, public policy and advocacy, and capacity building efforts for the next few years: 

1. Access – Increase the number of people in the Foundation’s service area who have access to quality, affordable health care services and health coverage.
2. Quality – Improve the quality of health services by promoting integration of services, supporting patient-centered care, and advancing cultural competency.

While there are multiple factors that influence individual health, it is our belief that making gains in these two areas will, over the long term, change health systems and practice, and create conditions that can reduce health disparities and produce better health outcomes for poor and medically underserved people in our region.

These goals are linked to a set of strategies that are part of our theory of change, which describes how REACH will seek to improve health care and health outcomes. The theory of change outlines our priorities, strategies and the outcomes we will seek to achieve and measure. It also serves as a tool for assessing funding opportunities.

Funding Partners

In making grant decisions, the Foundation considers how a program or initiative aligns with our goals, and its potential to achieve significant and lasting results. In addition, we look for partners who: 

• Are innovative, and committed to improvement and growth
• Demonstrate effective leadership and governance
• Collaborate with others in the community
• Are taking steps toward integration of services, either within the organization or through partnerships
• Demonstrate a commitment to consumer engagement
• Commit to improving cultural competency
• Are able to leverage diverse funding sources

What We Support

The Foundation funds programs and efforts in oral health, mental health and safety net services that support our two primary goals. For each goal, we have identified strategies to increase access and quality of health services.

Strategies to Increase Access to Health Care Services and Coverage

• Expand availability of oral health, mental health and safety net health services.
• Policy development and implementation of alternative health provider models, and expanded scope of practice to address workforce shortages.
• Public policy and programs that strengthen Medicaid, including efforts to expand and improve enrollment, reimbursement and benefits for eligible children and adults.
• Effective implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
• Increase consumer engagement and coalition building to inform and influence health programs and policies.

Strategies to Improve Quality of Health Care Services

• Integration of oral health and/or mental health with physical health care.
• Implementation of patient-centered medical home, or health home, standards for safety net and mental health centers.
• Care coordination or intensive case management to improve chronic conditions and promote self-care.
• Implementation of evidence-based approaches in oral health, mental health and physical health care.
• Place-based services that bring health services to clients.
• Building organizational and provider cultural competency to meet the health care needs of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

The REACH Foundation will continue to invest in oral health, mental health and safety net health services, but there are some programs and types of organizations the Foundation will not support going forward so that we can direct resources where we can have the greatest impact. For more information, review our Eligibility Criteria and Frequently Asked Questions.