Celebrating 30 years of partnership
Throughout 2015, we’re celebrating Sierra Health Foundation’s 30 years of grant making and we’re pleased to share stories about our programs and grantee partners who have made a positive impact in communities. #SHF30Years
During Women’s History Month, we’ve highlighted grants from our past 30 years that have improved the health and well-being of women. The photo below is from our Prenatal Care Access Initiative, which the foundation created in 1989 to increase access to and utilization of prenatal health care and to improve childbirth outcomes for low-income women in Northern California. The initiative recruited obstetricians to establish medical practices in rural California communities, and provided assistance and incentives for pregnant women to make prenatal care visits. From 1989 to 1992, the program awarded 64 grants to 38 organizations in nine counties, 9,430 women were served and 1,285 babies were born.
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San Joaquin Valley Health Fund grantees meet, make connections
San Joaquin Valley community leaders from 30 nonprofit organizations in eight counties came together in Fresno on March 27 for the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Grantee Convening.
This was the first learning and networking opportunity for the Health Fund grantees, who have received awards to improve health and reduce health disparities in their communities and in the region through policy and systems change.
Representatives from the grantee organizations made presentations about their programs as a way to educate each other about their work and to find ways to partner. Participants heard an inspiring message about empowering people in communities from keynote speaker Dolores Huerta, founder and president of the Dolores C. Huerta Foundation. Ms. Huerta has been a community organizer and a social justice activist for more than 50 years, and was an early member of the National Farmworker Association (later the United Farm Workers).
Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management launched the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund in fall 2014 to strengthen the capacity of communities and organizations in the Valley. The Health Fund currently is supported by Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment, Rosenberg Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Representatives from all of the funding organizations participated and shared words of encouragement and support for the grantees and their work in the Valley to improve health and reduce health disparities.
Learn about the Health Fund and see a list of grantees on the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund web page.
Photo: Sierra Health Foundation Center for Health Program Management President and CEO Chet Hewitt and Dolores Huerta.
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Health Leadership Program Class XII applications due April 27
We’re pleased to continue the Health Leadership Program this year with Class XII. Current and emerging leaders in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley are encouraged to apply. Applications for Class XII are due by April 27. Visit the Health Leadership Program web page to download the application and brochure.
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Office of Health Equity seeks Advisory Committee members
The California Department of Public Health Office of Health Equity, established to provide a key leadership role to reduce physical health and mental health disparities in vulnerable communities, is now accepting Advisory Committee member applications. The Advisory Committee advises the office on the development and execution of its work to ensure that community perspectives and input are included in policies, strategic plans, recommendations and implementation activities. For more information, visit the Office of Health Equity web page.
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Sacramento leaders accept My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge
On March 18, Sierra Health Foundation hosted and participated in a meeting of community leaders to discuss Sacramento’s acceptance of the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge.
At this convening, organized by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, community leaders discussed education, health, youth development, workforce and criminal justice from early childhood through adolescence and early adulthood.
Today, nearly 200 city, county and tribal leaders have accepted the MBK Community Challenge, an initiative to encourage community leaders across the country to develop plans to improve life outcomes and foster opportunities for all youth in our neighborhoods across six areas of focus:
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Entering school ready to learn
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Reading at grade level by third grade
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Graduating from high school ready for college and career
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Completing post-secondary education or training
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Successfully entering the workforce
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Reducing violence and providing a second chance
Learn more on the My Brother’s Keeper web site.
Photo: Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet Hewitt at the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge meeting.
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Foundation staff participate at Grants Seminar in Yuba County
A Grants Seminar hosted by Congressman John Garamendi on March 11 in Marysville focused on bringing more federal grants to California’s 3rd District. More than 100 nonprofit organizations and 20 local public agencies participated to learn what it takes to be competitive for funding opportunities, and how to work collaboratively to bring more dollars to under-served communities.
Part of the Congressman’s Grants Initiative, the seminar included a grant-writing workshop and a keynote luncheon with public- and private-sector grant experts. Participants heard keynote remarks from Congressman Garamendi, USDA State Director Glenda Humiston and Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet Hewitt, who discussed trends in the future of philanthropy and the benefits of regional collaboration. Sierra Health Foundation Senior Program Officer Matt Cervantes facilitated a group session discussion on education and youth.
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Matt Cervantes receives leadership award from UC Davis
Congratulations to Sierra Health Foundation Senior Program Officer Matt Cervantes for receiving the Seeding Improvements in Education Policy and Practice Award from UC Davis. Matt was honored as a visionary leader in the region at the 5th Annual California Equity Summit on March 14. He also participated on a panel focused on equity and social justice.
In his role at Sierra Health Foundation, Matt manages the Youth Pathways to Health programming and grant making, which includes the Positive Youth Justice Initiative. Learn more on the Youth Pathways to Health web page.
Photo: Dr. Vajra Watson of UC Davis presents Matt Cervantes with the Seeding Improvements in Education Policy and Practice Award.
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