Funded projects include trauma-informed care efforts, community doula access, and advocacy to ensure more New Yorkers have health care coverage.
In the first two quarters of 2023, the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York awarded grants totaling $737,570 to organizations across western and central New York for projects that are enhancing the health of their communities.
Age-Friendly Health Systems – New York State Action Community Phase 2- Participant Stipend ($10,000 each)
The following organizations received a stipend to enable participation in the New York State Age-Friendly Action Community – Phase 2. With this funding, these organizations have joined the inaugural statewide cohort led by HANYS, the Healthcare Association of New York State, to further spread age-friendly work across the state. Becoming an Age-Friendly Health System entails reliably providing a set of four evidence-based elements of high-quality care, known as the “4Ms,” to all older adults in your system: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.
- Community Health Center of Buffalo Read more here.
- Erie County Medical Center
- Cayuga Health Center
- Bertrand-Chaffee Hospital
Cattaraugus County Health Department Cattaraugus County 100th Anniversary Speaker Series ($5,000)
In June 2023, the Cattaraugus County Health Department (CCHD) hosted a variety of speakers for the 100th Anniversary of the local health department. These speakers discussed health disparities, rural community-based health initiatives, and tribal health professions throughout Cattaraugus County.
Early Childhood Alliance of Oswego – Help Me Grow Affiliate Training ($12,000)
This grant supports Early Childhood Alliance of Oswego’s participation in Help Me Grow, an initiative that supports families with young children by promoting developmental milestones, catching concerns early and successfully linking families to existing resources in the community.
Farm to Fork WBLK Sponsorship ($24,600)
These funds support a one-year extension of underwriting of Farm to Fork messaging on WBLK, including nutrition and food access tips and guidelines.
Holy Cross Head Start, Inc. – Cavity Free Kids ($3,500)
Cavity Free Kids includes lessons, activities, stories, songs and other resources that actively engage young children in fun-filled, play-based learning and help parents practice good oral health habits at home.
Lakeshore Connections – Live Well Erie RBA ($2,475)
These funds supported Results Based Accountability training for the Live Well Erie team. Results-Based Accountability is an approach used to improve entrenched and complex social problems.
LiveOn NY – Reframing Aging Master Plan for Aging Advocacy ($20,000)
Funds support LiveOn NY in expanding their Reframing Aging program throughout New York State. LiveOn NY will identify and promote three policy priorities related to the Master Plan for Aging, and will bring advocacy tools to central and western New York.
Medicaid Matters NY – Educating Communities on Medicaid ($25,000)
These funds assist Medicaid Matters in their continuing efforts to help more New Yorkers gain health care access by educating and informing the public on their eligibility for public health benefits. They will also collect testimonials from those who are served by Medicaid to tell the story of the program’s impact.
Most Valuable Parents of Buffalo – Violence Prevention Program ($4,000)
This grant supported Most Valuable Parents of Buffalo in distributing digital and print materials to at least 50 community organizations to build awareness of the cost–free MVP programs that teach strategies to prevent gun violence. MVP will also provide violence-prevention workshops/conversations to community members, local non-profits, churches, and community centers.
NY Funders Alliance – Nonprofit Support Group Grant ($15,995)
Funds support the Non-Profit Support Group’s mission of creating a thriving nonprofit ecosystem that promotes accessibility and equity for organizations and the people they serve.
Rural Health Initiative ($500,000)
The Health Foundation announced a new initiative in May 2023 to advance rural health equity in several counties in New York State. This included grants of $75,000 each to six rural health networks, including:
- Ardent Solutions
- Cayuga Community Health Network
- Healthy Community Alliance
- Madison County Rural Health Council
- Seven Valleys Health Coalition
- Southern Tier Health Care System
Learn more about this initiative here.
University at Buffalo (UB) – Kickstart Foot Care Program ($22,000)
The University at Buffalo Kickstart Foot Care Program is hosting community-based clinics offering free foot care and screenings for diabetic and vascular diseases to residents of the East Side of Buffalo. Additionally, the program will provide pro bono legal services to address barriers to accessing appropriate medical care. This initiative aims to raise awareness about preventable foot health issues and offer a more approachable model of care in collaboration with community members and existing care organizations.
Western New York Public Broadcasting Association – WBFO May 14 Special Report ($3,000)
The funds helped underwrite WBFO reporting from Charleston, South Carolina for their Buffalo, What’s Next program. The special report drew comparisons between the 2015 Charleston church shooting to raise awareness of similar issues in the aftermath of Buffalo’s May 14 mass shooting.
Universal Primary Care – Care Team of the Future ($30,000)
Funds enabled the Universal Primary Care team to participate in a Care Team of the Future Learning Collaborative, which will work to address improving access to UPC’s services, improving quality of care for patients, and addressing provider burn out.
YWCA Jamestown – Healthy Housing ($5,000)
Healthy@Home CHQ, in partnership with YWCA Jamestown, aims to engage individuals directly impacted by lead exposure and housing issues, providing them with information and empowering them to advocate for change.
