Grant Partners

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.

To secure the services of a strategic planning consultant to design and implement an effective strategy.

Clinical and Support Options (CSO) will increase its ability to provide an integrated behavioral health system that determines, assigns and begins the right service at the time needed for each person; increase prescriber hours; enhance addiction services; continue to improve the Greenfield Living Room peer support diversion program; and grow partnerships with community organizations, state human services agencies, and police departments.  

To fund food and basic needs while youth access academic supports and connect with its multi-lingual mental health practitioner.

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

Health Law Advocates (HLA) will work to advocate for public policy reforms that help consumers access necessary health care. Key focus areas in the coming year include: continuing to lead the effort to improve access to mental health services for children through the continued expansion of the Mental Health Advocacy Program for Kids, which provides free legal assistance to help low-income, high-risk youth to overcome barriers to mental health services; closing the gap in coverage for in-home health services, such as skilled nursing and non-emergency transportation that harms many immigrants enrolled in MassHealth Family Assistance; and building on the progress made reducing MassHealth’s longstanding difficulty assigning immigrants to the maximum benefits for which they are eligible.  Additionally, HLA will continue to improve access to gender-affirming health care for low-income transgender consumers.

Caring Health Center, which serves a community with a high rate of uninsurance, will provide culturally competent insurance enrollment assistance and education to patients, including insurance eligibility, applications, enrollment, policies, subsidies and tax credits, plan selection, and assistance in maintaining coverage. Caring Health Center will increase health insurance literacy through culturally and linguistically appropriate education and community outreach, including to programs serving jobseekers, unemployed persons, students, and community members who need support outside of the health center. It will also implement extensive media and grassroots community outreach campaigns. 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.

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will help meet a dramatic increase in client requests for emergency assistance for basic needs, such as rent, diapers, supplies, and other health-related social needs.

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

To provide food delivery for home-bound individuals during the Massachusetts COVID-19 "stay at home" advisory.

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

Volunteers In Medicine Berkshires 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 provide supplies and coping resources for students engaged in mental health programs due to loss, stress, and anxiety related to the pandemic and racial climate.

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