Current and emerging leaders invited to apply for Health Leadership Program Class XV

The Health Leadership Program strengthens the skills of leaders in nonprofit organizations and public agencies whose mission is dedicated to improving health and quality of life in their communities. We’re pleased to continue the program in 2018 and invite current and emerging leaders in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley to apply.

Successful applicants will be in organizations that work to improve community health and well-being and reduce health and racial disparities across a broad range of issue areas that address the social determinants of health.

Class fellows identify the core values and leadership strengths that drive their personal approach to work and working with others. Throughout the program, they work and learn with other organizational leaders, nationally respected leadership trainers and faculty to develop innovative approaches to identifying and tackling complex social challenges, and learn how to coach and engage staff and teams, as well as lead and manage change processes.

Online applications are due by April 16 at noon. Learn more and download the brochure and application materials on the Health Leadership Program web page.

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Responsive Grants Program proposals due by March 19

Responsive Grants Program funding continues in 2018, with grants up to $15,000 to support projects that improve health and quality of life for people throughout our 26-county funding region. There will be one funding round this year, with a total of $500,000 available. We will award at least 30 percent for projects serving rural areas of the region.

Online applications are due by March 19 at 1 p.m. Get application materials and see the proposers’ webinar on the Responsive Grants Program web page.

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San Joaquin Valley residents and leaders call for a Golden State for All at Equity on the Mall

More than 1,500 San Joaquin Valley residents and leaders gathered at the State Capitol on Feb. 8 for Equity on the Mall 2018. They joined elected representatives to call for equity through policy and system changes in Health, Education, Environment and Land Use Planning (HEEL), and to stand with Dreamers. Organized by the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, Equity on the Mall was and will continue to be a day of democracy in action to close the divide between the region and policymakers, and to highlight the people in the San Joaquin Valley.

The day included a community forum and polling session entitled “Democracy in Action: Moving the Valley Forward” to create a healthy, vibrant and prosperous region, during which participants heard and discussed messages from gubernatorial candidates addressing key issues facing the San Joaquin Valley.

Learn more on the Equity on the Mall web page.

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Positive Youth Justice Initiative partners’ efforts contribute to county-level policy change

Juvenile justice policy is changing in counties throughout California, thanks in part to the 11 partners in the Organizing for a Healthy Justice System phase of the Positive Youth Justice Initiative. In just one year, partners have seen significant impact from their efforts.

In Los Angeles County, Youth Justice Coalition and its partners worked successfully to remove probation supervision of at-risk youth on school campuses – a program funded by more than $30 million of Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) money the county has received annually since 2001. Efforts are ongoing to free up JJCPA money for community-based organizations to provide prevention and intervention programs. Learn more.

Led by RYSE Youth Center in Contra Costa County, partners advocated with a broad coalition of community-based partners to pass a Positive School Climate Policy board resolution in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. This resolution is the first step in getting the school district to eliminate willful defiance as a basis for suspension, which disproportionately impacts students of color; implement trauma-informed restorative practices as a means to address disciplinary issues; and redirect funding designated for law enforcement to reduce class sizes and fully fund restorative justice. Learn more.

San Joaquin County partners led by Fathers and Families of San Joaquin worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, California Rural Legal Assistance and South Stockton Schools Initiative to eliminate the expenditure of $3 million designated for Stockton Unified School District’s police department and reallocate those funds toward restorative justice and literacy programs. As of the 2017-2018 school year, the district no longer spends Local Control Funding Formula dollars on law enforcement.

Learn more on the Positive Youth Justice Initiative web page.

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Sacramento equity profile highlights the potential of a more equitable economy

The Healthy Sacramento Coalition today released Advancing Health Equity and Inclusive Growth in the Sacramento Region, highlighting inequities in income, employment, education and opportunity in Sacramento. According to the report, Sacramento’s economy could be $19 billion stronger with racial equity in incomes.The equity profile and its potential solutions will serve as a resource for local advocates and residents seeking to address disinvestment in communities of color.

Sacramento was one of five cities in the country to be selected for this scan and report, which was developed by PolicyLink and the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity at USC, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Healthy Sacramento Coalition and PolicyLink held a press event today with a panel discussion and community forum on equity with Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna.

Learn more on the Healthy Sacramento Coalition web page.

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Black Panther screening honors and celebrates community heroes

Sierra Health Foundation and the Black Child Legacy Campaign hosted a community screening of the movie Black Panther on Feb. 23 at the Esquire IMAX Theater in Sacramento. About 380 community heroes, including 250 children and youth from the seven Black Child Legacy Campaign neighborhoods, came together to recognize and celebrate their work.

Like the Black Panther, who is charged with protecting and providing guidance for his nation, community members are leading efforts to reduce and prevent child mortality in Sacramento. The event highlighted the work of the Black Child Legacy Campaign and the community leaders who are acting as change agents within their neighborhoods.

Learn more about this work on the Black Child Legacy Campaign web site.

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Gathering for GLORY conference to be held on April 19

The Black Child Legacy Campaign is planning this second annual conference – Giving Love to Our Rising Youth– to bridge the wisdom, perspectives and experiences from the faith-based community with those of advocacy groups, stakeholders, service providers and communities to reduce African American child deaths in Sacramento County. The conference will be held at the South Sacramento Christian Center on April 19 and will feature keynote speaker Pastor Michael McBride, Director of PICO National Network’s LIVE FREE Campaign, as well as other speakers, and will include workshops, vendors and space for community action planning. This is a free event and volunteer opportunities are available.

Learn more and register on the Black Child Legacy Campaign web site.

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Evaluation team needed for strategy implementation evaluation

The Center is accepting proposals for an experienced team to conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the strategic plan created by the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths. Eligible applicants are research institutions, universities, colleges, policy centers, private and nonprofit consulting firms and other entities qualified to propose.

Proposals are due by March 12 at 1 p.m. See the request for proposals for more information and submission instructions.

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#PeoplePursuing

Throughout 2018, we’re continuing to highlight the work of our partners through the #PeoplePursuing campaign. We invite you to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for new inspiring posts!

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