Responsive Grants Program applications due Aug. 9

Last month we announced grant awards for this year’s first funding round of the Responsive Grants Program, with 21 nonprofit organizations and public agencies in 13 counties receiving a total of $506,469.

Application materials for this year’s second round of funding are available on Sierra Health Foundation’s Web site. Grants up to $25,000 are available to nonprofits and public agencies to support projects that improve health and quality of life for people living in Sierra Health’s 26-county funding region. Of the $500,000 available in this funding round, at least 30 percent will be awarded for projects serving rural areas of the region. The remaining funds will be available for projects serving urban areas or urban/rural areas. Grant applications are due by noon on Aug. 9.

Proposers’ teleconferences were held on July 13, 15 and 20, and we held an in-person conference in Redding on July 21. The teleconference slides, teleconference audio recording and updated Round Two application materials are available on Sierra Health’s Web site.

Please send questions to grants@sierrahealth.org with Responsive Grants Program in the subject line.

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Social Determinants of Health video now online

We were pleased to welcome Dr. Richard Pan to Sierra Health Foundation on July 1 to discuss the Social Determinants of Health with about 75 guests from nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Dr. Pan talked about the factors other than health care that influence health, such as a person’s socioeconomic condition, environment, education, income and individual behavior choices – factors that have come to be known as the Social Determinants of Health.

Dr. Pan presented an extensive amount of data and insight about topics such as life expectancy, leading causes of death, population health and determinants of health. He also discussed how risk reduction and health promotion strategies influence health development, as well as social emotional development.

“If you really want to impact health, you need to think about what’s influencing the social and physical environments,” Dr. Pan explained. He also suggested that societal resources are being devoted to these areas more and more.

A nationally known speaker on the Social Determinants of Health, Dr. Pan is a physician and an educator at the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. He currently heads the UC Davis Pediatric Residency Program, where he developed a national award-winning program to promote healthy lifestyles by partnering with community groups. He has dedicated his career not only to the health and well-being of his child patients, but also to teaching young doctors about the importance of extending the medical profession outside of the doctor’s office into communities and neighborhoods.

Sharing the belief that there is much more to health than health care, as a foundation we have integrated the Social Determinants of Health into our grantmaking. This learning opportunity was the first of many we would like to offer on this topic as part of our Public Policy and Education Program. Dr. Pan’s presentation slides and a video of the discussion are available on our Social Determinants of Health Web page.
 

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Health Policy and Communications intern positions available

We’re currently searching for two Health Policy interns and one Communications intern to work at Sierra Health Foundation for a period of six to 12 months.

Health Policy interns will work with and assist our Program team with health policy aspects of Sierra Health programs. Depending on interest and skills, they will have an opportunity to research data and develop briefings related to health policy issues, analyze local, state and federal policies, and assist with our education and grantmaking strategies.

The Communications intern will work with and assist the Communications Manager to provide communications support for the foundation and its programs. The intern will have an opportunity to write news releases and articles, maintain Web sites, distribute electronic announcements, produce materials and presentations, and provide support for events.

Ideal candidates for these positions will be highly motivated undergraduate or graduate students or recent college graduates. Health Policy intern candidates should have a focus in public policy, social work, public health, health science, sociology or a related field. Communications intern candidates should have a focus in communications or a related field. Internships are part-time paid positions.

Learn more about the positions and get application instructions on Sierra Health’s Employment Opportunities Web page.

In the November 2009 issue of Partnerships, we introduced our first class of Health Policy interns. We sincerely thank Adam Hepworth, Joe Jackson and Tara Vang for the incredible work they did during their internships. We wish them all the best as they continue their educations and pursue their careers.

This summer we welcomed student interns Kevin Johnson and Long Vang, who came to Sierra Health through the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) Jobs for Youth program. They are assisting our Program team and other departments and are learning a variety of job skills during their eight-week internships. For information about the SETA Jobs for Youth program, visit the SETA Web site.

Pictured left to right are Joe Jackson, Adam Hepworth and Tara Vang.

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Youth Voices for Change exhibit now at Sierra Health Foundation

After its debut at the UC Davis Buehler Alumni Center, we’re pleased to have the Youth Voices for Change exhibit at Sierra Health Foundation through Sept. 1. This exhibit of youth artwork offers an opportunity for foundation visitors and Conference Center guests to see a youth perspective on life in West Sacramento.

The Sactown Heroes, a diverse team of youth affiliated with the West Sacramento Youth Resource Coalition, worked with UC Davis researchers and artists over a four-month period to create poetry, photos, comics and an interactive Web map with videos that document local conditions that impact their lives and express their hopes for the future. The exhibit at Sierra Health includes 15 posters and framed photos, as well as the Youth Voices for Change comic book.

Youth Voices for Change is a collaboration of the Art of Regional Change Program and the Healthy Youth/Healthy Regions project at UC Davis, and the West Sacramento Youth Resource Coalition. Support is provided by Sierra Health Foundation, The California Endowment and the California Council for the Humanities.
 

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Conference Center enhancements coming soon

Guests attending conferences, meetings and events at Sierra Health Foundation this fall will see some big changes. With new wall coverings, carpet, furniture, lighting and audio-visual equipment being installed this summer, the Conference Center will have a fresh look and offer enhanced quality.

Approximately 15,000 people visit Sierra Health’s Conference Center each year through our Conference and Convening Program, the foundation’s signature program. Sierra Health’s facility opened in 1994, and the Conference Center has been available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies in our region for most of that time. After 16 years of wear and tear, it was time to refresh the facility.

We will continue to enhance technology in the Conference Center, with plans to offer Web conferencing and other services in the future. We look forward to providing a high quality, highly functional and versatile space that will support nonprofits and public agencies in their work to improve health and well-being in our region.

Nonprofits and public agencies whose vision and goals are compatible with Sierra Health’s are encouraged to apply for use of the facility at no charge. Learn more about the Conference and Convening Program and apply for use of the Conference Center on Sierra Health’s Web site. Please note that while work is being done in August, availability of rooms is limited.
 

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