Expanding access to affordable health care and improving the health of all Californians may seem like lofty goals, but The California Endowment works on this mission one grant at a time.
Created in 1996, the foundation was formed as a result of Blue Cross of California’s conversion from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization.
With $3.7 billion in assets, The California Endowment has donated more than $20 million to 72 local organizations since its inception, according to Erika Montelongo, external communications associate for The California Endowment. More than 1,200 grants totaling about $480 million have been awarded since the foundation’s inception.
Maintaining offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Fresno, the foundation has adopted a regional, community-based approach for its grant-making activities.
Several local organizations have received grants this year.
Among them is Unyeway, a nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities by employing and empowering them in their communities. The organization received a three-year grant of $275,760 to expand services offered at the Adult Development Center in East County.
New services include programs for physical therapy and speech communications. The new services are expected to benefit about 500 people in the next three years.
In addition, the “Think First for Kids” curriculum for San Diego County elementary schools received a three-year, $820,000 grant to make children aware of injury risks.
The program is administered by Sharp HealthCare and will target first-, second-, and third-graders through stories, songs, games and other literacy materials.
The Parent Institute for Quality Education received a $250,174 grant to augment the institute’s parent education program with a health component. Parents will be educated on ways they can access low- and no-cost health care services and promote overall healthy behaviors.
The institute expects to reach about 2,000 families in the San Diego area during an 18-month pilot program.
The Greater Golden Hill Community Development Corp. received a two-year $265,000 grant to establish the Golden Care Cooperative, which will provide low-cost services to the elderly and disabled persons.
The organization is dedicated to revitalizing and redeveloping the Golden Hill neighborhood. Economic development of the community is achieved by training low-income residents to be nurse, home health, and home care aides.
The nonprofit Alpha of San Diego received a $314,433 grant to expand its school-based vision program by reaching 28 elementary and middle schools. The Alpha Vision and Health Care Advocacy program is expected to impact 675 families during the next three years.
The grant will fund the recruitment and training of 14 volunteers and three part-time case managers. The project goal is to reduce the number of children affected by vision impairments and ensure they receive preventive treatment.
The San Ysidro Health Centers is receiving a three-year grant of about $390,000 to implement the Infant Oral Health Program. The program will target children at a high risk for tooth decay.
The grant will fund comprehensive dental services for those in need in the South Bay communities. An oral health and disease prevention program will also be developed.
