Grant Partners

The Family Van will test how an innovative approach used to increase access to mental health care internationally (Problem Management Plus) can be adapted domestically. This new pilot program, Healthy Roads, will increase access to mental health services in low-income communities, build the capacity of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to address mental health issues and introduce a new model of care to The Family Van’s provision of services.

The Dimock Center will hire a second community outreach coordinator to expand its reach in communities with high rates of uninsurance, developing relationships with community organizations, and supporting consumers to enroll in and maintain health insurance coverage. It will expand hours at its financial counseling office during the week and increase technological capacity to further aid patients in filing electronic documents. The Dimock Center will expand its efforts to reach specific populations, including seniors who may have additional barriers to enrolling in coverage, and it will continue to participate in community events, including the Latino Family Festival, Boston Public Schools Back to School festivals, and local farmers’ markets.

To hire a consultant to analyze data on the impact of its work, informing programmatic decisions, and expanding quantitative data capacity.

To hire a professional development consultant to implement a year-round staff training plan focused on the topics of emotional wellness, mental health, and substance abuse issues as they affect youth.

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands (CACCI), which serves a community with a limited number of insurance plans and available providers, will provide education and ongoing support to consumers as they navigate the health care system and access services. CACCI works with organizations across the region to ensure that consumers enroll in and maintain coverage through advertising, cultural and ethnic events, health and human service providers, businesses, and outreach to specific populations, including immigrant communities. CACCI offers extended hours and tools in languages other than English to increase knowledge and to empower consumers to proactively maintain health care coverage and access the care they need.

To translate and print childhood vision information leaflets.

Project Bread, in partnership with the Family Health Center of Worcester and the Regional Environmental Council, is addressing food insecurity to increase the consumption of healthy foods among the patients of Family Health Center of Worcester. The partner organizations are formalizing a referral system for patients of the health center who screen positive for food insecurity to connect them to available resources in the community that will contribute to sustainable nutrition solutions. This includes its partner the Regional Environmental Council, which enables access to affordable, local produce through farmers markets and mobile markets. To support these activities, Project Bread is increasing its capacity by developing the infrastructure necessary for this cross-sectoral partnership to be sustained.

To hire a consultant to develop a marketing and outreach strategy.

Lowell Community Health Center, which serves a community with a high rate of uninsurance, will strengthen services to engage and enroll clients in health insurance and educate staff and community-based agencies about the health care system to increase understanding and trust, especially among refugee and immigrant populations. It will increase efficiencies to improve patient access to health insurance benefits services and it will increase its capacity to formalize tracking systems for its patients to address churn. Lowell Community Health Center will increase timely, culturally and linguistically appropriate guidance to assist clients in making informed decisions and maintaining health insurance. 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.

To hire a grants consultant.

Lahey Health Behavioral Services will continue implementation of telemedicine for psychiatric prescribing and consultation to its Urgent Care Clinic; initiate medication-assisted treatment (MAT) via telepsychiatry; and implement a crisis management program to facilitate communication among members of an individual’s care team. 

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.

To conduct an elder needs assessment to better understand health and related needs of older homeless clients in order to design and implement responsive programs to meet the unique needs of this population.

Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands (CACCI), which serves a community with a limited number of insurance plans and available providers, will provide education and ongoing support to consumers as they navigate the health care system and access services. CACCI works with organizations across the region to ensure that consumers enroll in and maintain coverage through advertising, cultural and ethnic events, health and human service providers, businesses, and outreach to specific populations, including immigrant communities. CACCI offers extended hours and tools in languages other than English to increase knowledge and to empower consumers to proactively maintain health care coverage and access the care they need. Through 2021, specific grant plans may be adjusted to meet the current health and safety guidelines to protect the wellbeing of clients and staff.

Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services (BILH BS) will enhance current community-based alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment by providing clients with a tool that rewards participation in recovery activities. The project will make use of the DynamiCare Health mobile application, a digital platform that helps people monitor and change their use of drugs, opioids, alcohol, and tobacco. This demonstration project relies on evidence-based Contingency Management (CM) techniques, an effective methodology for improving substance use disorder outcomes. While CM’s effectiveness has been repeatedly demonstrated, it is used by fewer than 10% of treatment programs.  Use of an automated version of CM, which does not require intensive staff effort, would have significant advantages in overcoming barriers to engagement.