Health New England Awards “Where Health Matters” Grants to Local Organization
Posted on November 6, 2019
On Friday, November 1, Health New England presented the 2019 Where Health Matters Grants to five Western Massachusetts organizations that met criteria specifically tied to Health New England’s health priorities, and social and economic determinants of health. Grant awards totaled $250,000.
Background
Health New England participates in a community health needs assessment every three years, where we collect data, including community demographics, socio-economic factors and related trends. We understand that behind the data are people, families and neighborhoods – with differing needs, values and priorities. The data shows us that lifestyles and social conditions are becoming increasingly complex.
The purpose of our Where Health Matters Grant Program is to make meaningful, measurable investments in programs that pro-actively address the social determinants of health adversely impacting the health of our communities. Improving the health and lives of the people we serve is who we are. It is how we operate. It is why we care.
Grant Program Health Priorities
The four areas identified for this year’s program were:
- Chronic diseases, specifically asthma, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and obesity
- Food insecurity or housing insecurity
- Maternal, infant and child health/perinatal health
- Mental health/substance abuse
Grant Recipients
The five $50,000 Health New England Where Health Matters Grants were awarded to:
- 18 Degrees (formerly Berkshire Children and Families, Inc.) of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The Where Health Matters grant funds will be used for their Parent Wellness Program. This aligns with Health New England’s infant and maternal health focus area. Their Parent Wellness Program runs for a 12-month period and will support 65 parents and caregivers who have at least one child under 18 months of age who live in poverty and are at risk for trauma, abuse and neglect. The Parent Wellness Program will offer wellness coaching and connections to materials, social resources and goal setting to help combat isolation, promote family stability, financial independence and overall well-being. The program will also help participants gain access to education, training, and employment and career opportunities.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services of Springfield, Massachusetts. Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services was awarded the Where Health Matters grant in support of the food insecurity focus area. They will use the funds to support their Food and Nutrition Service Center. This 12-month program will work to develop a Food Insecurity Screening and Referral Initiative, which will augment the existing, highly successful emergency food pantry at Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services. The goal is for it to become a Food and Nutrition Service Center that will grow and expand over time to serve the community by connecting people to supportive services and reduce food insecurity, its causes and its impacts.
- Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) of Springfield, Massachusetts. MOCHA was awarded the Where Health Matters grant in support of the mental health and substance use focus area. Their MOCHA Coming Home Program will offer assistance to 180 men of color who are about to return to local neighborhoods in the greater Springfield area after being released from the Hampden County Correctional Center. Upon returning to society, oftentimes, there are severe gaps in linkage to follow-up rehabilitation, medical care and social services, and a lack of social support. This may cause the former incarcerated man to suffer from social isolation, depression, shame and rejection, which often leads to reimprisonment. The Coming Home Program will modify the existing re-entry program curriculum for men being released from the Correctional Center in Ludlow. In addition, it will help them connect with community-based programs and introduce them to mentors who have successfully transitioned after incarceration.
- Square One of Springfield, Massachusetts. Square One was awarded the Where Health Matters grant in support of Health New England’s chronic conditions focus area. Their DR YUM Program is specifically designed to transform the lives of families by providing them an understanding of the connection between food and overall health, as well as empowering them with tools to live a healthy life. The evidence-based curriculum is geared toward preschool aged children (2.9 to 5 years) and family members.
- Center for Youth Engagement at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. UMASS will be applying the Where Health Matters grant award to their Center for Youth Engagement program, which supports the mental health focus area. This 12-month program will support 175 disadvantaged families with young children throughout the Greater Springfield and Holyoke area who have behavioral and mental health challenges. The overarching goals of the program are to increase the families’ knowledge of positive parenting practices, empowerment and quality of life, while indirectly working to decrease symptoms of mental health problems in young children.
“This is our second year honoring community organizations with the Where Health Matters Grants,” said Kyle Bertke, Director of Business Development and Marketing for Health New England. “The goal in awarding these five grants is to make a significant difference and positive impact on the health outcomes of our most vulnerable community members.”
“By supporting integrated and innovative programs such as these organizations’ programs, together we will have a stronger ability to positively influence the health and lives of people in our communities,” added Susan O’Connor, Esq., Vice President and General Counsel for Health New England.
To view photos of the event, click here.
To see Channel 22 News footage of the event, click here.
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