Blue Shield of California Foundation Announces $2 Million in Third Quarter Grants
Funds to strengthen role of schools, public hospitals, and clinics in California safety net
San Francisco, September 7, 2011 — Blue Shield of California Foundation (BSCF) today announced $2 million in third quarter grants, with most of the new funds aimed at strengthening the ability of community clinics, schools, public hospitals, and other safety net providers to meet the health needs of California’s most vulnerable residents.
“Health reform offers an incredible opportunity to make the safety net more nimble and responsive to the needs of vulnerable Californians,” said Peter V. Long, Ph.D., president and CEO of BSCF. “To do that, we have to strengthen traditional providers, like clinics and hospitals, to promote integration among other vital organizations in the safety net.”
Health Care and Coverage ($1,702,387)
Under the Foundation’s Health Care and Coverage program, three of the latest grants are targeted toward helping clinics, public hospitals, and school-based health centers improve quality and expand access to health care under reform.
- $400,000 over 12 months to California Primary Care Association to help community health centers measure performance and manage data to ensure access to high-quality care for all Californians.
- $300,000 over 12 months to California School Health Centers Association to support the transformation of school-based health centers from a niche part of the healthcare safety net to integrated healthcare providers within a reformed healthcare environment.
- $250,095 over 12 months to California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems to help public hospital systems expand coverage, improve care delivery, contain costs, and align with safety net partners in preparation for full health reform implementation in 2014.
Additional grants improve the state’s overall ability to serve uninsured Californians.
- $107,000 over 12 months to California Rural Indian Health Board to be a catalyst for expanding coverage through planning support that enables Tribal Health Programs to develop a Low Income Health Program.
- $445,292 over 12 months to Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles to evaluate the impact of the Low Income Health Program on expanding coverage and improving access to care for uninsured Californians prior to 2014 through their Center for Health Policy Research.
- $200,000 over 12 months to Tides Center to help design a "first class" online user experience for public program enrollment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Blue Shield Against Violence ($321,074)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act supports clinical and community prevention activities that promote health and wellness while also reducing healthcare costs. In light of that, the Foundation is also awarding Futures Without Violence $ 321,074 over 14 months to promote the integration of family violence prevention into national public health prevention strategies, and to convey the benefits of doing so in improving health outcomes.
About Blue Shield of California Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state’s largest healthcare grantmaking organizations. Visit: www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.
The Foundation was formed by Blue Shield of California, a not-for-profit corporation with more than 3.4 million members, 4,800 employees, and 20 offices throughout California. Visit: www.blueshieldca.com.