Happy Holidays!

We wish all of our partners a very happy holiday season. Our offices will be closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 1.

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Sierra Health Foundation comments on proposed public charge rule

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Oct. 10 proposed the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds rule, which would “prescribe how it determines whether an alien is inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act because he or she is likely at any time to become a public charge. Learn more on the Federal Register web site.

The department accepted public comments on the proposed rule until Dec. 10, and will review all comments before publishing a final rule.

Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt submitted a comment on behalf of the foundation, expressing our unwavering support for immigrant communities. As a foundation committed to improving the well-being of our communities, we stand with immigrants and refugees in protecting their rights as Americans to live a healthy and happy life with dignity. Read the comment.

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Community efforts result in significant decrease in Sacramento County’s African American child deaths

Recent data from Sacramento County’s Child Death Review Team shows a 45 percent decrease in infant mortality rates from 2013 to 2016. Additionally, the disparity between black infant deaths and other ethnic groups has narrowed significantly. African American babies born pre-term decreased 18 percent and disparity decreased 37 percent, and African American infant sleep-related deaths decreased by 54 percent with a disparity decrease of 62 percent.

The First 5 Sacramento Commission presented this data to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 3. Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths co-chairs Chet P. Hewitt, Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO, and Natalie Woods Andrews, Director of the Early Learning Department at the Sacramento County Office of Education, also presented to the First 5 Sacramento Commission that day as part of the Steering Committee’s annual reporting. The presentation highlighted key activities from the 2017-18 fiscal year, with a focus on the impact of the Black Child Legacy Campaign’s seven Community Incubator Leads.

In January, the Steering Committee and the Black Child Legacy Campaign will release its 2017-18 annual report, prior to a presentation to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 29. Learn more about the Steering Committee and the Black Child Legacy Campaign.

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Gil Alvarado named to Grantmakers In Health board of directors

Grantmakers In Health last week announced the election of six new board members, including Sierra Health Foundation Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO Gil Alvarado. The new directors will serve three-year terms beginning in March 2019. Learn about the new directors.

Gil joined Sierra Health Foundation in 2006. His many responsibilities include strategic business planning and management of all foundation administrative activities, investments and finances. He also provides leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal fiscal and regulatory policy, as well as design and oversight of the community investment strategy for the foundation and The Center.

Grantmakers In Health is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to helping foundations and corporate giving programs improve the health of all people. Its mission is to foster communication and collaboration among grantmakers and others, and to help strengthen the grantmaking community's knowledge, skills and effectiveness. Learn more.

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San Joaquin Valley Health Fund Policy Committee to release 2019 Policy Platform

The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund’s Policy Committee met at UC Merced on Nov. 28 with representatives from 70 partner organizations and several funder partners who are working collectively to improve health in the San Joaquin Valley. The Policy Committee, through its subcommittees, have been working for several months to recommend updates to the IHEEL –Immigration, Health, Education, Environment and Land Use Planning – Policy Platform for 2019, which they will release on March 6 at the Equity on the Mall event at the California State Capitol.

At the Nov. 28 meeting, committee members made strides in gaining consensus on the 2019 Policy Platform, and partners had an opportunity to learn how to use the platform when meeting with policymakers. A panel of advocates at the local, state and federal levels shared their experience and history advocating for their communities.

Robust participation by San Joaquin Valley Health Fund partners will ensure the 2019 Policy Platform truly represents the priority issues of the impacted communities and the entire San Joaquin Valley.

Learn more about this work on the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund web page.

Photo: San Joaquin Valley Health Fund partners and staff participate in a closing circle activity at the Nov. 28 Policy Committee meeting.

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Employment opportunity: Evaluation Associate

We currently have an opening for an Evaluation Associate. With the direction of the Evaluation Director, the Evaluation Associate will provide support to the evaluation unit in the areas of planning and implementation, engagement of community partners in evaluation activities, and various administrative tasks such as monitoring external contracts. The Evaluation Associate also will support foundation program staff in the areas of background research, proposal development, using secondary data for monitoring, and communication of evaluation results, among other responsibilities.

See our Employment web page for information and application 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!

Learn about Azizza Goines, President and CEO of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, which brings African American business owners and professionals together to create a solid economic structure within Sacramento’s business community.

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