Blue Shield of California Foundation Expands Grants to Prevent Domestic Violence and Support Medi-Cal Improvements

Nine community-centered groups get aid to support the most vulnerable Californians

San Francisco, CA (March 22, 2017) – Today, Blue Shield of California Foundation announced support for nine organizations that are building successful domestic violence-prevention programs, as well as maintaining improvements in health care achieved through the expansion of Medi-Cal. These grants, totaling $670,000, are part of the Foundation’s “Act Now” fund, a rapid-response initiative to support the health and safety of the most needy Californians. The new grants bring the fund’s total to nearly $2 million.

“These nine organizations, like many in California, face uncertain futures because of the turmoil in policy discussions on the national stage,” said Peter Long, PhD, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. “In these challenging times, our Foundation remains a steadfast partner in improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and families, who depend on vital community-based programs. We must protect these critical building blocks to ensure health and safety in our great state.”

Grant recipients are recognized leaders in advocacy, community organizing, network building, strategic communications, policy, and research. They are actively engaged in supporting diverse and underserved communities, and upholding many of the essential priorities at the heart of the Foundation’s work: Preventing and addressing domestic violence, access to care and coverage for immigrant populations, innovation that strengthens the healthcare safety net, and cross-sector approaches support survivors of domestic violence.

“These organizations were selected, in part, because they’ve engaged local communities to affect positive change by focusing on the unique needs and experiences of the people they serve,” added Long. “These trusted community partners are shining examples of health care and anti-domestic-violence advocates in California who live our shared values every day.”

The recipients of this second round of “Act Now” funding include:

• California Indian Legal Services, Inc.
• California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
• Faith in Community
• Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center, Inc.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center
• The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley
• Futures Without Violence
• PICO National Network
• Women’s Foundation of California

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About Blue Shield of California Foundation

Blue Shield of California Foundation is one of the state's largest and most trusted grantmaking organizations. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians, particularly the underserved, by making health care accessible, effective, and affordable, and by ending domestic violence. For more information, visit:  www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.