Grant Partners

Boston Medical Center will enhance the Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST) model to improve the delivery of high-quality, culturally competent care to individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders (SUD), and co-occurring disorders. It seeks to strengthen the rapid assessment and treatment of individuals while providing referrals and access to appropriate services in the least restrictive environment, promoting safety and recovery, and providing medical support and triage to divert people from the emergency department and inpatient psychiatric units.

To hire a trainer and bookkeeper to maximize donor software and integrate it with financial management tools to better manage relationships with donors and hosts remotely in the pandemic.

This grant was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samaritans, Inc will upgrade their video conference and webinar capacities to conduct virtual workshops for youth and their caregivers. Samaritans will focus these workshops on individuals in communities experiencing health inequities who are particularly vulnerable during these challenging times.

This grant was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Care for All (HCFA) will continue to focus on advocating for and with consumers on issues related to health care access, quality, and cost.  It will convene a new online learning program called Health Justice Academy: Building Health Care Power in Our Communities. This unique training is designed to educate consumers and organizations and build support for important policy proposals during the pandemic and beyond. A key focus area for HCFA is working with immigrant communities and mixed-status households by partnering with community-based organizations and Spanish and Portuguese-language media outlets to spread the news that seeking COVID-19 testing and treatment will not be “counted” toward a public charge determination. HCFA will also advocate for legislation that will expand comprehensive MassHealth coverage to children who would currently be eligible for MassHealth except for their immigration status.

Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC), which serves several communities with high rates of uninsured residents, will work to reduce barriers to obtaining insurance enrollment assistance by co-locating enrollment services where individuals live, or where they receive other services. CEOC will focus on locations where individuals who are more likely to be uninsured may frequent, such as food pantries, homeless shelters, single-room occupancy residences, English as a Second Language programs, cultural organizations, and job and career service programs. It will also bundle insurance enrollment assistance with its other programs, including the food pantry, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment, free tax preparation, as well as housing stabilization services. Through 2021, specific grant plans may be adjusted to meet the current health and safety guidelines to protect the wellbeing of clients and staff.

To purchase equipment and accessories to create high-quality and engaging virtual content and to safely and effectively deliver programs and food resources to children and families during the pandemic.

This grant was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lowell Community Health Center will provide multi-cultural communication and outreach efforts with a focus on immigrant and communities of color and expand its capacity for medical interpretation to ensure that patients are referred to trusted partners to address identified health-related social needs.

This grant was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To redesign the organization's website.

Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts will assist the BCBSMA Foundation staff in conducting a focus group to understand the needs, concerns, and challenges facing organizations of color and organizations working in communities of color.  The focus group will also help the Foundation identify potential solutions to change the systems, policies, and structures that perpetuate racial inequities in health in Massachusetts.

To hire a grant writer to raise funds to meet increased demand for services due to the pandemic and for outreach activities in accordance with health and safety guidelines for COVID-19.

This grant was made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Multicultural AIDS Coalition will address the gap in culturally appropriate COVID-19 education, prevention, and support services in response to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color and among immigrant communities.  These communities may also be experiencing trauma, domestic violence, racial discrimination, HIV status, along with health-related social needs.

This grant was made in response to COVID-19 pandemic

The Community Builders (TCB), in partnership with the Family Health Center of Worcester, Worcester Addresses Childhood Trauma (Worcester ACT), the Regional Environmental Council (REC) Clark University, and Boston College, is working to understand and document the connections between trauma and housing instability.  The partner organizations are integrating trauma-informed services, supports and property management protocols to assist residents in maintaining housing stability. Trauma-informed care-trained Community Life staff and resident Health Champions support residents by providing resources and education through group information sessions and other community-based activities. They also provide referrals to needed services, including emergency and ongoing support with Worcester ACT, trauma treatment through Family Health Center of Worcester, food access through the REC, and eviction prevention services. To support these activities, TCB is increasing its capacity by supporting ongoing training and coaching for staff, developing leadership opportunities for residents, and reviewing and adapting the infrastructure necessary for this cross-sectoral partnership to be sustained.

To cover implementation costs of transitioning the organization to Jitasa bookkeeping and accounting software.

The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) will continue to convene the Task Force on Coronavirus & Equity; the Task Force and its members have led the effort to advocate for equity in the state's response to the crisis.  In addition, MPHA will advocate for progressive revenue, rather than austerity budget cuts that will further impact people of color and low-income people, to close the significant state budget gap. A key focus area for MPHA will be to continue to coordinate the Alliance for Community Health Integration (ACHI), which works to harness the Massachusetts health care system to promote health equity and address patients' social needs. A particular focus for the ACHI, will be on revising the Massachusetts Principles for Healthy and Affordable Housing in the coronavirus context and continuing to advocate for changes to the next Medicaid1115 waiver.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, which serves a community with a high rate of uninsurance, will provide screening, education, enrollment, and post-enrollment services for patients and community residents, including information on how to maintain insurance coverage. It will also attend community events and partner with the Immigrant Assistance Center to inform individuals about the insurance application process and to answer questions about public charge. Through 2021, specific grant plans may be adjusted to meet the current health and safety guidelines to protect the wellbeing of clients, patients, and staff.