The Health Trust Awards $3.24 Million in Grants in FY09

Wellness By Design Conference Showcases National Best Practices and Physical Activity Programs for Seniors

 

For more information contact
Justine Choy
The Health Trust
408.879.8431
JustineC@healthtrust.org

The Health Trust has just announced it rewarded $3.24 million in grants during Fiscal Year 2009 to over 40 different organizations in Santa Clara and Northern San Benito Counties to support community health and wellness activities.

The Health Trust awarded funding to a diverse group of organizations; the majority of these target their services to low-income, medically underserved residents of Santa Clara County who are at high-risk of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Many of these residents also lack access to health insurance or culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services.

“I am so pleased we continue to support this essential work to improve the health of our community, especially in these tough economic times,” says Health Trust CEO Frederick J. Ferrer.

Grants are specifically selected to support the three strategic initiatives The Health Trust, Healthy Living, Healthy Aging and Healthy Communities. The Healthy Living Initiative focuses on reducing and preventing obesity through better nutrition and physical activity. The Healthy Aging Initiative focuses on creating independence for seniors through better access to care and communities of support. The Healthy Communities Initiative focuses on providing all members of our community the opportunity to attain their full health potential regardless of their social and economic circumstances.

Below is a partial list of grants awarded in May and June to projects that support each of the three Initiatives.

Healthy Aging

Respite Research for Alzheimer’s Disease/Alzheimer’s Activity Center-Caregiver Wellness Program-$50,000

To incorporate into all of its programs a caregiver wellness component to address the unique health and wellness needs of older Alzheimer’s caregivers. The Center will extend its capacity to provide services that focus on caregivers (aged 50+) including caregiving training through workshops and support groups and caregiver care plans that incorporate healthy nutrition, exercise and tools for stress management. The project will address healthy aging by simultaneously aligning their program for individuals with the disease with a program that addresses the health and wellness needs of the entire family or “care giving circle.”

City of Sunnyvale Department of Community Services/Active Start Sunnyvale-$24,805

To support a new physical activity program targeting Sunnyvale Senior Center members who are not currently participating in any physical activity program. In partnership with the San Jose State University Department of Kinesiology, the project will utilize undergraduate and graduate students to promote a healthy behavior change and provide physical activity opportunities among center members. The goal of the program is to implement a two pronged strategy designed to increase physical activity among sedentary seniors as well as increase the number of skilled and properly trained instructors of physical activity among older individuals.

Metropolitan Adult Education Program (MAEP)/Better Bones and Balance (BBB) Fitness Program-$15,000

To expand an evidenced-based fitness program that utilizes strength building and weight-bearing exercises to arrest bone loss and decrease the risk for falls and subsequent fracture in older adults. Two trained and credentialed instructors will offer two additional BBB class sections in the 2009-10 school year reaching up to 100 older adults. The classes will be offered at three different locations in Santa Clara County.

South Bay Vestibular Support Group/A Matter of Balance/Volunteer Lay Leader (MOB/VLL)-$14,739

To implement five, eight-week Matter of Balance workshops for 50-60 San Jose residents over the age of 60. Developed by Boston University and adapted into a lay-facilitated model by MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging, MOB/VLL is an evidence-based fall prevention intervention designed to diminish the risk and occurrence of falling. This intervention is part of SBVSG’s educational services that raise awareness of the vestibular system and support people suffering from imbalance or dizziness related to vestibular dysfunction.

World Cardio Tai Chi Association (WCTCA)/Wellness Tai Chi for Elders-$11,390

To partner with three senior-serving, community-based organizations to provide linguistically appropriate Tai Chi classes tailored for older adults to improve flexibility and balance and reduce the risk of falls. WCTCA will provide two ten-week Wellness Tai Chi classes for each agency reaching a total of 45-60 older adults and provide instruction training to partner agency staff to continue to offer classes at the end of the grant period.

Healthy Communities

Santa Clara Family Health Foundation (SCFHF)/Healthy Kids-$500,000

For premium support for 485 children ages 6-18 to improve access to quality primary and dental care and increase utilization of preventative health screenings and services. The Santa Clara Family Health Plan will provide comprehensive health coverage to approximately 9,300 children each month through Healthy Kids; conduct appropriate, targeted community outreach so that parents of uninsured children apply for health coverage; ensure that 75% of the Healthy Kids members who renew each month maintain their health coverage through either Healthy Kids or another coverage option; and disseminate information to Healthy Kids members on the importance of accessing preventative health services and dental care.

School Health Clinics of Santa Clara County (SHCSCC)/Core Operating Support-$533,560 (over two years)

For core operating support to achieve its mission of keeping kids healthy and in school by providing high quality, easily accessible primary medical care and preventative health care services to low-income children and adolescents. SHCSCC expects to provide at least 19,000 medical care visits to at least 5,500 unduplicated clients in FY10, and will continue its advocacy work on addressing health disparities and promoting prevention and early intervention.

 

Indian Health Center (IHC)/Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)-$125,000 (over two years)

To provide an intensive evidence-based lifestyle intervention program based on immersion in a supportive fitness environment, nutrition education and social and group support to low-income 120 clients who are at-risk of developing this chronic disease. Funding will be used to extend the DPP program beyond the American Indian and Alaskan Native community to provide culturally competent services to other at-risk, minority populations served by the organization, targeting primarily the downtown and east side areas of San Jose. The curriculum is based upon IHC’s Chronic Care Model, which emphasizes the patient’s role in managing their diabetes.

Santa Clara County Department of Public Health (SCCDPH) -Health Data Project-$85,000

To develop a Health Equity Report to further the county’s ability to address social determinants of health. Anticipated outcomes of this project are increased and improved availability of health disparity and social determinants of health data, increased awareness of health inequities in Santa Clara County and use of the data for action planning and advocacy for health equity in Santa Clara County. The project will provide an opportunity for collaboration across multiple sectors and systems in an effort to conduct a comprehensive assessment of factors, including housing, transportation, schools and hospitals, which collectively influence health outcomes. Through the data collected, SCCDPH seeks to encourage the ongoing assessment of systemic change necessary to ensure social justice and equality by creating equal, fair and just conditions and improving community health outcomes.

Valley Medical Center Foundation/Healthy Workers Program-$60,000

To support an innovative pilot project that aims to decrease the number of uninsured adults in Santa Clara County, improve access to and quality of primary care and to develop a sustainable model for providing health coverage to uninsured adults. Healthy Workers is a voluntary program that will provide affordable healthcare coverage to low- and middle-income adults who work in small business (2-50 employees) and have been unable to purchase coverage on their own or through their employer. Healthy Workers will offer comprehensive benefits modeled after Healthy Families and will require employers and employees to contribute to the plan.

Evergreen Community College Foundation/Evergreen Nursing Scholarships-$50,000

To provide need-based scholarships to ethnically diverse, low-income nursing program students to enable them to complete their RN degree at Evergreen and their BS in Nursing at San Jose State. Through a new pilot project, funded by the state to provide concurrent enrollment and reduce training time by eliminating duplication of coursework, students will be able to complete both programs in three years, instead of four. The primary goal of the project is to broaden the pool of bachelors-prepared, gender, ethnically and linguistically diverse nurses in Santa Clara County to provide culturally appropriate health care to underserved populations.

InnVision-Healthcare for the Homeless Program-$50,000

To expand their current health service programs and integrate nutrition, health and wellness activities and education throughout their organization to include staff as well as clients. Some of the goals for the project include medical care to 1,700 clients and provision of health education workshops to 10,000 clients. The key outcomes are improved health and nutrition among clients and staff and reduced emergency room visits by InnVision clients.

Islamic Networks Group/Cultural Competency in Healthcare-The Muslim Patient-$30,060

To improve the cultural competency of healthcare practitioners and organizations with regard to the care of Muslim patients and to improve access to, and appropriate utilization of, primary and preventive healthcare for the Muslim population. This project targets South Bay healthcare providers as well as American Muslims of Arab, South Asian and Middle Eastern descent in Silicon Valley. ING will do research, analysis and strategic planning to enhance the training content to include a wellness focus, and develop training tools and strategies to affect systemic change in healthcare institutions.

Eating Disorders Resource Center-Up to $25,000 in matching funds

Renewal support to continue culturally competent education and outreach efforts to assist healthcare professionals and service providers in screening for eating disorders and to equip them with the tools and resources necessary for early diagnosis and proper treatment. The program will reach 200 new physicians and healthcare professionals and provide outreach and education by incorporating a model of prevention developed by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) in local schools and in collaboration with other local health service providers and hospitals.

Healthy Living

Palo Alto Medical Foundation/Youth Health Risk Assessment-$39,600

To complete development of an on-line health assessment tool, developed in collaboration with The Health Trust’s Youth Advisory Board, and Vive, a private hosting service that enables cell phone users to set and track personal health and wellness goals. The project will help youth develop wellness habits by increasing their awareness about health, nutrition, physical activity and other health-related issues. Successful completion of the pilot will result in the tool being made available free of charge to youth and organizations and will support healthy habits and wellness in youth as well as assist in chronic disease management.

Sacred Heart Community Services/La Mesa Verde Home Garden Program-$50,000

To implement 100 home gardens for very low-income Latino residents in the Washington “Strong Neighborhoods Initiative” area of San Jose.. This project, led by a master gardener, long-time resident of the Washington neighborhood, will increase residents’ access to and consumption of fresh, organic, produce and increase their physical activity through working in their gardens. Additional goals of the project are to reduce reliance on Sacred Heart’s food pantry and increase self-sufficiency for households through a reduction in food costs and the ability to supplement income through sales of surplus produce..

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)-Farm to School, Santa Clara County-$25,000

Support to expand the farm’s current activities by providing the “Know Your Farmer” educational project to up to five schools in Santa Clara County. The project provides fresh produce and educational activities for classrooms, and hosts “Kid Nights” geared towards family participation at their farm stand. Additionally, the program provides food education and farm field trips for students in the Santa Clara Unified schools. The organization will serve a minimum of 1,500 students and will work with school food service directors to encourage local food purchasing for their cafeterias to reinforce classroom education.

Community Pantry/Nutrition Education and Food Stamp Outreach Program-$25,000

Support to provide culturally appropriate nutrition education and food stamp assistance presentations to low-income residents in San Benito County. The objective of the program is to increase client knowledge about health and nutrition and to increase the number of qualified residents accessing the underutilized Federal Food Stamp Program. The target population is low-income Latino/Hispanic families and individuals in San Benito County, and specifically those who qualify for food stamps but are not yet enrolled in the program. Another key objectives is to foster partnerships with other community service organizations to connect their clients to other needed health and social services.

Sustainable Community Gardens/Full Circle Farm-$50,000

To improve the farm’s built environment in ways that increase community access to healthy food and physical activity, supply more than 200,000 pounds of food to the community and expand the farm’s model of farm-based education to students and the community at large. This project targets low-income, underserved students and their families and teachers within the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) and members Peterson Middle School neighborhood. The farm is planning to deliver 30% of their yield to SCUSD cafeterias by the end of 2009, pilot a weekly after school program for Peterson students and host health-focused festivals. They have collaborated with several education and environmental partners to plan and implement a longitudinal study of the farm’s impact on students and the community to improve activities and interventions and to develop best practices.

Veggielution/Urban Farming Project-$25,000

To hire a full-time project director to oversee and coordinate volunteers and farm work, and secure one acre of additional land, seed and tools for the farm. The project director will establish an educational youth program for middle and high school students to build community and foster self-development through participation in farm operations. Located in East San Jose, the farm’s food is grown by volunteers and donated to Martha’s Kitchen, a community feeding program for low-income people in San Jose. The organization advocates for sustainable, organic agriculture, supports physical activity for youth with volunteer farm activities and supports a community-wide commitment to health to help alleviate the chronic hunger of Santa Clara County residents.

Anzar High School (Aromas San Juan Unified School District)/Healthy Lunches Program-$23,695

To improve the school’s lunch program to include more fresh and healthy foods by piloting a year-long Advanced Culinary Arts class in fall 2009 which will plan and prepare a once-a-week healthy lunch for the whole school. The Culinary Arts program will partner with local growers and the school’s organic garden to source fresh produce and will collaborate with the District’s Food Services staff to prepare food in healthy ways. In the second semester (Spring 2010), Food Services will implement a healthy menu for the remaining four days of the week. Successful implementation of the project would increase access to healthy lunches, improve attitudes toward healthy eating, increase healthy eating, and increase partnerships with “salad bowl” neighbors and its school garden.

Greenbelt Alliance/Planning for Healthy Communities-$75,000

To increase access to physical activity and nutritious food through research and advocacy to promote planning and zoning policies that support healthy lifestyles in San Jose, Santa Clara, and Mountain View’s General Plans. The organization will work with The Health Trust and other health-related organizations to identify and develop language to express health-related goals and objectives in land use planning decisions and to build greater awareness of linkages between land use policies and community health outcomes. Funding will support efforts to inform public opinion, affect community mobilization, and support advocacy strategies with community leaders and public officials for inclusion of appropriate health-related policy, language concepts and standards in general plans.

YMCA of Silicon Valley-Healthy Silicon Valley Collaborative (HSVC)-$132,284

For transition support for HSVC for planning, coordination, facilitation, and organizational and fund development support to grow and sustain the Collaborative. The Collaborative is comprised of approximately 150 organizations and individuals involved in a community action plan to drive environmental change strategies through policy and advocacy. The goals of the collaborative are to address obesity prevention though general policy positions regarding physical activity and healthy nutrition to affect environmental changes through community advocacy activities.

To view a comprehensive list of grantees and learn more about funding guidelines, please visit our website at http://www.healthtrust.org

About The Health Trust

The Health Trust is a nonprofit foundation that provides grants, services and advocacy to support its vision of Silicon Valley as the healthiest region in America. In January, The Health Trust announced a $30 million investment in three initiatives – Healthy Living, Healthy Aging, and Healthy Communities. For more information, visit www.healthtrust.org.

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