Celebrating 30 years of partnership

As we celebrate Black History Month and reflect on Sierra Health Foundation’s last 30 years of grant making, we are thrilled to see the impact grantees have made in their communities and beyond. One of the first foundation grantees was The Birthing Project, an effort to improve childbirth outcomes for low-income women in Northern California. The Birthing Project is now in nine countries throughout the African diaspora. Its founder, Kathryn Hall-Trujillo, shared her thoughts in this video.

Our work in this area continues with our partnership on the Steering Committee for the Reduction of African American Child Deaths, an effort to reduce deaths among African-American children by between 10 percent and 20 percent by 2020 in Sacramento County. This project is funded by the County of Sacramento and First 5 Sacramento, and is managed by the Center for Health Program Management. Learn more on the Center web site.

Additionally, we have worked to invest in organizations through the Minority-Led Organization Capacity Building and Leadership Development Program. Past grantees include the Center for Fathers and Families, G.O.A.L.S. for Women, Roberts Family Development Center and the Center for Community Health and Well-Being, Inc. This program is funded by The California Endowment and Sierra Health Foundation, and is managed by the Center for Health Program Management. Learn more on the Center web site.

#SHF30Years

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San Joaquin Valley Health Fund grants total nearly $500,000 for 27 organizations

We launched the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund through our Center for Health Program Management late last year to strengthen the capacity of communities and organizations in the Valley. This week we awarded grants totaling $490,800 to 27 nonprofit organizations.

Funded organizations will use the grants to improve health and reduce health disparities through policy and systems change in eight counties: Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare.

The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund is managed by the Center for Health Program Management with funding from Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment and the Rosenberg Foundation.

Learn more and see the list of grantees on the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund web page.

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San Joaquin Valley report highlights disparities of opportunity

This month we published a report titled Mapping Opportunity in California’s San Joaquin Valley, a review of the current status of inequities faced by Valley residents. We commissioned the study, which was conducted by the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, to inform our work through the Center for Health Program Management and to provide a valuable resource for everyone who is committed to addressing the disparities of opportunity in the San Joaquin Valley.

The report includes findings that highlight discrepancies in the availability of economic, educational, health, housing, civic and other opportunities in San Joaquin Valley communities. For example, many rural areas have historically experienced exclusion from municipal services such as clean drinking water and sewage. In urban areas, youth drop out of schools at much higher rates than in the region overall. Moreover, in one community highlighted by the study, the predominantly Latino population has only a 12% rate of homeownership, compared to 60% for the region as a whole.

We offer this report and its recommendations for strategic investment in the San Joaquin Valley to funders, community-based organizations, policymakers and other committed change-agents. In partnership with residents and building on local assets, we can use these results to inform decisions, policies and programs that will promote the health and well-being of all Valley residents.

Download the report.

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Health Leadership Program seeks current and emerging leaders for Class XII

We’re pleased to continue the Health Leadership Program this year with Class XII.

We invite current and emerging leaders in Northern California and the San Joaquin Valley to apply for this six-month program, which will begin in late September. Program participants have the opportunity to improve existing skills while developing new competencies that strengthen their organizations, and deepen their ability and commitment to address health disparities and health equity in underserved communities. Successful applicants will work in organizations that work to improve community health and well-being and reduce health disparities across a broad range of issue areas.

The Health Leadership Program is jointly led by the Institute for Population Health Improvement at UC Davis Health System and the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, and is co-directed by Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH, and Rich Callahan, DPA.

Applications for Class XII are due by April 27. Visit the Health Leadership Program web page to download the application and brochure.

Photo: Health Leadership Class XI

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Sacramento Kings honor Chet Hewitt as a “Dream All-Star” during Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, the Sacramento Kings NBA team is recognizing local influential African-American community leaders throughout the month of February. Presented by Wells Fargo, the Kings Dream All-Stars were selected based on their achievements and the inspiration they create in the community.

Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet Hewitt was honored at the Feb. 20 game with a commemorative plaque and an in-game video presentation, while his enthusiastic cheering section filled with family, friends and foundation staff celebrated with him.

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Space available at the Nonprofit Innovation Center on our Garden Highway campus

Does your nonprofit organization need office space in Sacramento? If so, our Nonprofit Innovation Center may be the place for you! This multitenant office and conference space on our Garden Highway campus is designed for nonprofits working to improve health and well-being in the region. The Nonprofit Innovation Center provides a desirable location and high-quality facilities at an affordable price. The building has an open-space design meant to promote cross-agency learning, engagement and resource sharing among tenants.

Learn more on the Nonprofit Innovation Center web page. To find out about available space and to schedule a tour, please e-mail Facilities Manager Colleen Cascio.

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Conference Center art exhibit celebrates Black History Month

Visitors to our Conference Center this winter are viewing an art exhibit celebrating Black History Month, with work by local artist Ray Franklin and other artists from the Short Center South. This fine arts program provides an opportunity for artists with developmental disabilities to receive mentoring from professional artists and to create their art in a studio-like setting.

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