January 2021 

By Chet P. Hewitt
President and CEO

I’m certain that most, if not all, of us were happy to see 2020 come to an end. It was a year that will forever be remembered for the loss of life caused by the global pandemic, the failure of public institutions to effectively respond to the social, economic and health vulnerabilities the pandemic exacerbated for millions of Americans, and widespread social justice protests in which residents of cities across our country demanded a reimagination of law enforcement systems and how they engage Black and Brown communities and people of color.

I’m also certain that most, if not all, of us were shocked by the way 2021 began. It’s usual to start a new year with a naive sense of optimism, but just six days in we all bore witness to an attack on democracy in our nation’s capital that seemed to make the new year age quickly. The treasonous attack was fomented by the viral spread of mistruths and outright lies about the outcome of our national election that were buoyed by the unchecked resurgence of historical intolerances regarding race, inclusion and full participation in American life. The first week of 2021 provided a startling reminder that “otherness” was alive and well in our nation, and attempts to beat it back will require much more of us than celebrating the start of a new calendar year or the promise of a new administration in Washington, D.C.

Fortunately, the year was not all about pain, loss, suffering and protest. In the midst of our nation’s collective trauma, and our struggle to perfect a democracy that values everyone equally, millions of heroes have emerged. They are mostly unheralded citizens and undocumented residents, many of whom are people of color. Referred to as essential workers, their need to make a life for themselves and their families pushed many to take risks that have become extraordinary contributions to our ability to meet our own personal and familial needs. Regardless of whether they were caring for the sick in hospitals, ensuring a complete census count, engaging school children over the Internet or maintaining our food supply, they are extraordinarily hardworking American heroes. I’m sure, however, that as we work from home and try to teach our children, or scour shops to purchase necessities we barely paid attention to before, our appreciation and respect for teachers, grocery clerks, nurses, poll workers and agricultural workers has grown tremendously.

Inspired by these heroes, Sierra Health Foundation and The Center are committed to continuing to do all we can to mitigate the social, health and economic hardships that low-income communities, families and essential workers continue to face. We will maintain our investments in the infrastructure we’ve been building in partnership with community residents, elected officials and funders to build community power. Our goal is to transform the frayed systems these heroes held together despite the impact of years of underinvestment. We will use the painful lessons we’ve learned to more effectively advance our cause, knowing that, as the great James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” We pledge to face this year with a renewed commitment to the partners, values and vision that have always driven our work. After a pause to catch our breath, we are now ready to let the real new year begin.

The Build.Black. Coalition is getting ready to launch an app to support and uplift Black businesses and entrepreneurs, while also supporting a justice and equity movement committed to building the social, economic and cultural vitality and influence of Black residents and communities — locally and nationally. With the Build.Black. app, consumers can easily find and support Black-owned businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs. App users also can post or find events, connect with groups to teach or learn about issues, post or search for jobs, and find resources on important topics such as health and training for entrepreneurs. Sacramento Black business owners are invited to register on the app, which will be available at Google Play and the App Store. A Feb. 1 launch date is in celebration of Black History Month. The Build.Black. Coalition also will launch a redesigned web site on Feb. 1. Look for a news item on The Center web site!

Sierra Health Foundation and The Center have an opening for a director of communications. Visit our Employment Opportunities web page to learn about the position and apply online.

Elevate Youth California continues to support community and Tribal organizations across the state that are addressing substance use disorder by investing in the leadership development and activism of youth of color and LGBTQ2S+ youth.

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation recently released the Elevate Youth California 2020 Annual Report, which highlights the program’s Cohort 1 grantee partner accomplishments from March to September. Partners engaged 1,427 diverse youth and 480 community stakeholders in local movement building, youth empowerment, leadership and development, and capacity building activities. Access the report on the Elevate Youth California web site to learn more about our partners and their achievements.

Elevate Youth California is managed by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation under contract with the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services through Proposition 64, California Cannabis Tax Fund, Allocation 3, Youth Education Prevention Early Intervention and Treatment Account.

Congratulations to 47 San Joaquin Valley community-based organizations that have been awarded up to $50,000 to advance policy and systems change work in support of the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s Policy Platform (20 awardees) and to support COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience across the region (27 awardees). With more than $2 million in funding awarded, these community partners will support a wide range of advocacy activities in areas as distinct as immigrant rights, housing justice, school food access, equitable land use policy, community-informed local redistricting efforts and environmental justice. Regardless of their projects, all of the community partners are committed to the goal of advancing health and racial equity across the San Joaquin Valley in partnership with impacted residents.

Since the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s launch in 2015, more than 30 philanthropic partners have contributed $28.8 million to help support the growth, development and impact of the Fund and its community partner network, which now includes more than 160 organizations. Learn about the newly funded projects on The Center web site.

The Center at Sierra Health Foundation in partnership with Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services earlier this month announced $2.5 million awarded to four Sacramento organizations to support outreach, engagement and prevention services for African American/Black community members.

Through the new Trauma-Informed Wellness Program for the African American/Black Community in Sacramento County, funding focuses on people of all ages and genders, with special consideration for children and youth (ages 0 to 25) who have experienced or been exposed to trauma. Programs will incorporate an understanding of African American/Black cultural heritage, including norms and traditions, the broad and multifaceted definition of family, and historical trauma.

We look forward to working with the following organizations: Improve Your Tomorrow; ONTRACK Program Resources, Inc.; Roberts Family Development Center; and Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center. The funding will support activities from January 2021 through June 2023.

Through the Medication Assisted Treatment Access Points Project, Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Leadership (APPEAL) was funded to bring communities to the table that often are not reflected in the opioid use disorder conversation. APPEAL assessed readiness levels and developed policy recommendations for addressing opioids through an equity lens and reducing opioid health disparities in Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. Two reports — Addressing Opioid Use and Abuse Among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders and The Pain of Opioids: A Hidden Problem in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Communities — are a culmination of their work and summarize an important first step in the discussion of opioid use in AANHPI communities, how much is still unknown, and what potential next steps might be.

The COVID-19 vaccine is one of the most important tools to end the COVID-19 pandemic. The State of California is prioritizing vaccines for equitable distribution to everyone in the state who wants it, with enough supplies to vaccinate most Californians by summer 2021. Access information about the vaccine, the State’s vaccination plan and vaccination progress, as well as resources and a COVID-19 Response Toolkit on the covid19.ca.gov web site.

While COVID-19 vaccine supply is still limited, California is prioritizing vaccines for specific groups based on exposure risks, health risks and health equity. The My Turn web page has details on vaccine registration. Individuals who do not have an e-mail address or mobile phone can call the CA COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-833-422-4255 (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.) to receive assistance.

Californians can provide public comment and hear the latest information at upcoming Community Vaccine Advisory Committee meetings. Learn more on the California Department of Public Health web site.

National Public Radio earlier this month reported on COVID-19 and asthma-related visits to emergency rooms. The article — What Drove the Drop In Kids’ Asthma ER Visits at a Boston Hospital During Lockdown? — looks at factors identified by researchers, including better medication adherence, access to telemedicine, preventive hygiene and environmental and other factors. Access the article on the National Public Radio web site.

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help organizations keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering First Draw PPP Loans for first-time program participants and Second Draw PPP Loans for certain organizations that previously received a PPP loan. SBA also offers additional COVID-19 relief. Learn more on the SBA web site.

A series of policy briefs by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation include evidence-based recommendations to help people through the immediate health and economic crises and longer-term recommendations to ensure a fair and just opportunity for health. Learn more on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation web site.

National Center for Youth Law recently published a report titled Meeting the Moment: Understanding EPSDT and Improving Implementation in California to Address Growing Mental Health Needs, a legal analysis of how California can draw down additional federal EPSDT funding to support the well-being of low-income children without requiring them to be diagnosed. The policy recommendations in the report provide a blueprint for policy advocacy in the years to come. Access the report on the National Center for Youth Law web site.