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Willamette Valley Community Health Grants over $1.8 Million to Organizations in Marion & Polk Counties That Are Strengthening Communities and Innovating in Health Care

– 15 clinical integration and community investment grants and sponsorships are being awarded to organizations focused on community projects and health care –
December 20, 2017

Salem, Ore. (December 19, 2017): Willamette Valley Community Health (WVCH), a coordinated care organization that seeks to improve quality of health care and health outcomes for its members in Marion and Polk County, recently awarded over $1.8 million in grants and sponsorships, ranging from $1,000 to $450,000, to 14 local organizations for its 2017-18 grant cycle. Among the recipients are: Trillium Family Services, Salem Health, WVP Health Authority, Salem-Keizer School District, Catholic Community Services, Recovery Outreach Community Center, and the Marion and Polk Early Learning Hub. Please see the full list below.

Since 2015, WVCH has granted over $3.8 million to projects that are transforming communities and improving clinical results. This year’s recipients were selected for their potential to improve health and vitality in one of two categories: community investment or clinical integration. Some of the areas of focus include: Emergency department-use reduction, law-enforcement assisted diversion, childhood early learning and literacy, parent education, coordination of services for the homeless, opioid reduction, and overall access to health care.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with organizations that are dedicated to improving our communities,” said Rob Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Willamette Valley Community Health. “Collectively, these healthcare providers and community partners are removing barriers and improving health equity by providing access and quality care for all.”

The funds granted by WVCH allow organizations to innovate and integrate ideas that can transform healthcare for residents of Marion and Polk Counties. One such grantee, the Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, will be using the funds to help families and children receive the support they need to thrive through early learning, literacy and parent education resources.

“We are extremely grateful to WVCH for these grants. These funds will allow us to reach additional families across Marion and Polk counties to create a healthy environment for children,” said Lisa Harnisch, Executive Director of the Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub. “By making critical links and connections between early learning and health, we have a big impact on the lives and futures of children and families in our community.”

WVCH welcomes grant applications for up to $25,000 on a continual basis. Applications for larger grants will open again in spring 2018. Details will be posted at wvch.org.

 

2017/18 WVCH Community Investment Grants:                                                           

System of Care Committee in Marion and Polk Counties, including:

Marion and Polk Counties, Behavioral Care Network, law enforcement, school districts, Department of Human Services, Oregon Family Support Network, and others

Children and Youth Crisis Services

Provide peer support for youth in crisis as part of a new Children & Youth Crisis system in Marion County.

Trillium Family Services and Salem-Keizer School District

Provision of Mental Health Promotion Education and Prevention Services to Salem-Keizer Schools

(MH-PEP)

Provide mental health promotion education and prevention services to designated Salem-Keizer Public Schools.

Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast

Fostering Hope Initiative, The Next Level

Address the social determinants of health by employing Certified Community Health Workers to integrate health care, housing, and social services in neighborhoods where residents experience high rates of poverty, chronic disease, teen pregnancy, and child maltreatment.

Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub

Early Intervention and Developmental Screenings

Increase the quality of developmental screenings done in Marion and Polk County, as well as increase collaboration and information-sharing between early learning providers, early intervention specialists, and medical providers.

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency

Development of a Co-Location Model to Address the Social Determinants of Health for the Homeless in Marion County

Reduce health care-related costs for the homeless in Marion County through the adoption of co-location model under a project lead.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Health Department, Bridgeway Recovery, Community Action Agency

LEAD THIS Change

(Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion as a transformational health intervention system change)

Divert low-level, high-risk drug offenders—often living on the streets of Salem—from the criminal justice system through linkages to community health and substance abuse treatment services, resulting in reduced arrests, reduced incarceration, and improvements to the community’s health.

Marion and Polk Early Learning Hub

Parent Education Expansion

Increase the availability of multiple high-quality parent education across the community, linking medical providers with parenting education providers.

Polk County

Falls City Direct Connect Project

Provide regular transportation from Falls City to Dallas and Monmouth as well as resource navigation to Falls City residents.

Recovery Outreach Community Center

Expand Access to Dental Van Services in Settings of Peer Support

Provide dental services using a mobile dental van at the ROCC drop-in center and expanding to rural areas of the community, making dental service more accessible to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and/or addictions.

Shangri La, Polk County, and Santiam Hospital

Service Integration Team Sponsorships

To help support unmet needs of community members.

WVP Health Authority

Small Practice Wrap-Around Support Team

Provide comprehensive wrap-around services to WVCH members assigned to small-practice primary care providers, improving access to a pharmacist, nutritionist, behavior specialist, etc.

Salem Health

Parent Partner to Improve Coordinated Care for Children with Complex Healthcare Needs

Improve the coordination of care for pediatric patients with complex medical and behavioral needs using a parent “peer” partner who will assist parents in navigating complex health care systems and care plans.

Salem Health

Emergency Department Intensive Care Management

To help reduce the rate of emergency department visits for patients with a history of frequent emergency department utilization, by connecting them to primary care, community-based resources, transitional care, and long-term support services.

 

About Willamette Valley Community Health

Willamette Valley Community Health (WVCH) is a coordinated care organization (CCO) dedicated to serving Marion and Polk County residents covered by the Oregon Health Plan/Medicaid. We strive to provide a system that focuses on prevention and wellness that is integrated, patient-centered, cost-efficient and equitable. WVCH coordinates a network of over 600 healthcare providers, including physical health, dental health, behavioral health and addiction specialists, to improve quality and access to care for our more than 97,000 members.

About Coordinated Care Organizations

Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) are health plans that provide care to those who receive coverage under the Oregon Health Plan. Willamette Valley Community Health helps children, families, and adults in Marion and Polk Counties manage their health through quality, coordinated care.

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