Grant Partners

Funding will support the On Solid Ground (OSG) Coalition, which is facilitated by Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), and includes advocacy organizations representing health, housing, education, employment, legal services, and faith-based communities, as well as research and philanthropic partners.  In the past year, OSG conducted gap analysis and research, publishing Observations and Findings from 31 Public Support Programs Available to Low-Income Families in Massachusetts, which identified the programmatic and administrative barriers faced by vulnerable residents of the state when they try to use such social service resources.  OSG plans to deepen its involvement, with key staff continuing to partner with the Foundation on Actions Labs and other convenings, attend hearings on Medicaid reform and related topics, and participate in coalitions that work on community benefit agreements, determination of need, Medicaid reform, and research initiatives in other states.  They will strive to increase funding and support for housing assistance and services as part of a coordinated strategy to address the social determinants of health. 

To hire a strategic planning consultant who will facilitate a day-long leadership institute with Board members, staff, and program participants. 

Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire, and North Quabbin Regions will conduct outreach through four community coalitions, food pantries, and career centers.  They will screen all callers for health insurance needs and send reminders about member responsibilities to submit documentation and update information.  At enrollment meetings, Community Action will provide materials to help members stay organized and follow-up to see if they have a PCP, can access their Connector account, and have responded to any mailings. 

The Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) will address key public policy and community issues affecting the health and well-being for the 65 and over population, empowering its members to use their own voices to address key public policy and community issues. Advocacy will focus on the growing disparity in out-of-pocket costs and affordability. MSAC will coordinate the “Bridge the Gap” campaign, which focuses on health care affordability for seniors.

To purchase tablets for clinicians who provide mental health care and treatment in clients' homes, schools, and other community settings. 

HSL has developed a depression services program, Making Real Progress in Emotional Health, to integrate behavioral health treatment with primary care and other health services to reduce the severity of depressive symptoms in seniors, and to improve overall health.  The Foundation's grant will enable HSL to expand services to patients receiving in-home care.  In 2015, HSL acquired Jewish Family and Children’s Services, which expanded HSL’s home care services by an additional 1,000 seniors (now totaling 2,000 older adults).  In contrast to seniors in supportive housing who tend to be part of a community, seniors in home care are more likely to suffer from isolation, pain, and increased debility post-hospitalization.  These stressors also increase these seniors’ susceptibility to depression.  HSL will take the lead in developing and monitoring individual care plans; tracking health outcomes in collaboration with primary care physicians from the practices treating the majority of patients; and developing additional community partnerships to ensure more comprehensive collaborative care for their patients.

To hire a consultant to help the organization design and implement a health education program and develop the organization's fundraising strategy.

Harbor Health Services will participate in off-site joint outreach sessions at social service agencies, supermarket chains, ethnic markets, Councils on Aging, Veterans Agencies, sites serving behavioral health and developmental delayed persons, subsidized housing, state employment and job training sites, schools, food pantries, WIC program sites, health fairs, and via social media. It will create a health insurance literacy community assessment, and develop user-friendly materials that educate clients on how to use health insurance benefits. Finally, it will dedicate a phone number and webpage for residents to reach staff for enrollment assistance, and execute a social media campaign.

Project Director: Robert Seifert

“Churning in Massachusetts:  A Planning Study” is a one year project that will examine the feasibility of an updated study of “churning” in Massachusetts’ public health insurance programs, MassHealth and ConnectorCare. Churning is an important phenomenon in public programs because its existence indicates interruptions in health coverage, which often means breaks in continuity of care. The methodology for the planning project will include a literature review and a series of key informant interviews with consumer advocates, state officials, and provider and payer representatives. The information from these activities will then be synthesized into a preliminary research plan for a full study.

To hire a consultant to facilitate a strategic planning process and support overall retreat costs.

To purchase and install an accessible shower in the adult day health center. 

Family Health Center of Worcester (FHCW) will partner with community organizations to receive referrals for individuals needing enrollment assistance. They will provide one-on-one sessions and events about minimizing the risk of losing coverage, review all eligibility determination letters, utilize its EMR to record pending expiration dates, and use automated call center software to reach uninsured patients in multiple languages. The organization will conduct quarterly “health insurance 101” trainings, provide regular patient orientation sessions, and make health insurance literacy information and resources available through patient computer kiosks.

To hire a fundraising consultant and purchase a recumbent exercise bike.

To hire a grantwriter to help expand the organization's direct service and health care provider training programs in eastern and western Massachusetts.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will target uninsured patients prior to their next scheduled appointment and provide enrollment assistance.  To address churn, it will utilize its electronic medical record to identify individuals whose coverage is about to lapse, and refer them to follow-up assistance. It will develop a health insurance education module that includes low-literacy multilingual materials and a workshop curriculum that helps patients navigate the system.  Ten health insurance literacy information sessions will be held each year.