Medication Assisted Treatment Access Points application due date extended to April 1

The Center last month announced the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Access Points funding opportunity. The aim of this funding is to support MAT start-up activities and/or MAT enhancement efforts in at least 200 MAT Access Points throughout California, with the goal of increasing the number of patients with substance-use disorders treated with medications, counseling and other recovery services.

A total of $38 million is available and eligible organizations may apply for up to $50,000 per access site.

A request for applications is available for organizations such as primary care facilities, hospitals, emergency departments, narcotic treatment programs/medication units, jails, residential centers, tribal health centers, DUI providers, community or county mental health centers, social services providers, community-based organizations or other organizations either building new MAT access or expanding current MAT capacity. Funding can be used to purchase equipment, train staff, recruit staff, make capital improvements, and for other start-up and enhancement costs.

The application due date has been extended to April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The request for applications, webinar recording and Q&A are available on the MAT Access Points web page.

Please e-mail us any questions.

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Responsive Grants Program awards to be announced in June

Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals for Responsive Grants Program funding. We plan to announce awards in early June. Grants up to $15,000 will support projects that improve health and quality of life for people throughout our 26-county funding region. There is one funding round this year. We will award at least 30 percent for projects serving rural areas of the region. Learn more on the Responsive Grants Program web page.

Please e-mail us any questions.

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Health Leadership Program on hold in 2019

As Sierra Health Foundation’s Health Leadership Program Class XV nears its conclusion, we have decided to put the program on hold and take some time to consider and plan the program’s future. We will not be accepting applications for the program in 2019. We look forward to providing an update later this year or in early 2020.

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

More than 2,000 San Joaquin Valley residents and leaders gathered at the California State Capitol on March 6 for the fourth annual Equity on the Mall event. They joined elected representatives to call for equity through policy and system changes in immigration, health, housing, education, environmental justice, and land use and planning (IHHEEL).

Equity on the Mall is an annual day of democracy in action to close the divide between San Joaquin Valley residents and policymakers. Organized by the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and community partners, the event included a powerful program at the west steps of the Capitol with remarks by elected representatives and community leaders, and performances celebrating the San Joaquin Valley’s cultural diversity. Community partners released the 2019 IHHEEL Policy Platform at an indoor briefing focused on advancing health and racial equity.

Learn more on the Equity on the Mall web page.

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Senate Select Committee on the Social Determinants of Children’s Well-Being launched at Equity on the Mall

The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund and partners proudly launched the Senate Select Committee on the Social Determinants of Children’s Well-Being at Equity on the Mall on March 6. Led by Senator Holly J. Mitchell and San Joaquin Valley State Senators Melissa Hurtado and Anna Caballero, the Select Committee seeks to find new opportunities and supports to improve the outcomes of all children. Recognizing that young children are the most vulnerable members of a community and the source of its greatest potential, the Committee’s first hearing focused on the barriers and impacts for children with no or inadequate housing. Community partners and advocates spoke at the hearing on the housing and health issues facing their communities and the impacts on children.

The Select Committee will continue to explore the impacts of the social determinants of health on children’s lives, from housing to environmental justice to health. Over the next two years, the Select Committee intends to hold six to seven hearings across the state. The next one will be held this summer in Fresno.

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The Center is selected as one of 10 regional organizations to administer Census 2020 outreach for hard-to-count communities

The California Complete Count–Census 2020 Office recently announced contracts with the 10 regional administrative community-based organizations it will fund to ensure an accurate count of all Californians in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 Census.

As the selected contractor for Region 6 (Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties), The Center at Sierra Health Foundation will build on its significant census work in the San Joaquin Valley and leverage its experience as the managing partner and hub for the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, a community-driven network of nearly 100 community-based and grassroots organizations and 18 funder partners working to advance health and equity across the San Joaquin Valley.

“An accurate census count impacts not only political representation and funding for necessary local and regional social services, but the community power to generate change, shape the future, resist harmful policies and maintain hope,” said Chet P. Hewitt, president and CEO of The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. “We are proud to support and bring together our community partners, who have the expertise and trusted community relationships for effective outreach to strengthen and empower the San Joaquin Valley and its residents.”

Read the full announcement on The Center web site.

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Giving Love to Our Rising Youth (GLORY) conference to be held April 25

The Black Child Legacy Campaign is planning the third annual Giving Love to Our Rising Youth (GLORY) conference 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 25 and will include speakers, 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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