Michigan Health Endowment Fund awards $5.3M to community health initiatives

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LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) – The Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) announced today that it will support 70 health projects and capacity building efforts across the state with a total of $5.3 million in new investments. Nonprofits, universities, and government agencies statewide will receive grants ranging from $15,600 to $100,000 under the Health Fund’s Community Health Impact grant program. (See a full list of grant recipients at the bottom of this release.)

“This program is about supporting the health of Michigan communities, collaborating around improved access to services, and building organizational capacities,” said Megan Murphy, senior program officer. “We can’t wait to see how these organizations help move their communities toward more sustainable health outcomes.”

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Street Talk: Staying safe at home

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While Michigan residents have been urged to stay home and stay safe, staying safe at home has taken a broader meaning for the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan. While traditionally laser-focused on the issue of lead and other pollutants in people’s homes, the nonprofit has spread out to address all issues of home safety.

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Youth drop-in center HQ evolves with commitments to local partnerships and expansion of services

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HQ is a drop-in center for youth who don’t have a safe place to call home, are sleeping outside, or just need a safe place to connect with caring adults. This center is a free resource for youth ages 14 to 24 in housing crisis.

HQ partners with The Wisdom Center Counseling Services, Health Net of West Michigan, and Grand Valley Family Health Center to constantly improve their services and meet the health and wellness needs of local youth in crisis.

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By Leaps & Bounds: Prenatal Care & Social Determinants of Low Birth Weight

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Receiving early and regular care throughout pregnancy is incredibly important for both mother and baby, as preterm birth and low birth weight put babies at an increased risk of developing cognitive, emotional, and physical health issues. Babies weighing above 5.5 pounds at birth are considered to be “born healthy.”

Across Michigan, about 8.5% of babies are born underweight (CDC), and communities of color are disproportionally impacted with rates for black and Latinx moms at a six-year high. Recognizing the need to create paths to overcoming the social determinants of health, local programs are supporting moms to improve these outcomes for babies.

Courtney Hilbert, CNM, MSN, Director of APP Services for Women’s Health and Chair of the Centering Pregnancy Program at Spectrum Health, and Kiara Baskin, Founder and CEO of Bump to Birth Doula Services are here to discuss. For more information, visit: https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/womens-health/midwifery, https://www.bumptobirthdoulaservices.com/ , or https://www.spectrumhealth.org/patient-care/womens-health.

https://www.wgvunews.org/post/leaps-bounds-prenatal-care-social-determinants-low-birth-weight

West Michigan Works – Shelley Irwin

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West Michigan Works, recognized 10 area service workers with the 2019 Beverly A Drake Essential Service Awards, speaking on TMS to those involved.

https://www.wgvunews.org/post/west-michigan-works-5

Grand Rapids HQ provides support, services for homeless and at-risk youth

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Grand Rapids HQ is a drop-in center for homeless and at-risk youth that opened its doors at the end of 2014.

It doesn’t have beds, but staff there can help the homeless aged 14-24 get beds at other support facilities around town, including 3:11 Youth Housing, one of its partners in a new, three-year initiative called the Comprehensive Health Initiative. When HQ opened, there was just one facility with two beds for homeless youth. Today, thanks in part to HQ’s fundraising and partnerships, there are a total of 50 beds at various facilities around town, including the Bridge of Arbor Circle and Covenant House. Read more

Street Talk: Road less traveled

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Valued service

West Michigan Works! last month recognized 10 area service workers with the 2019 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards.

Honorees are “hardworking individuals in service positions who go above and beyond,” and they “display pride in their job, a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and habits, punctuality and complete work on time,” according to the agency.

Employers and community members submit nominations. A committee of the West Michigan Works! Development Board chooses the winners.

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Insurer Donates $75K To Raise Awareness For Kids’ Dental Health Coverage

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An insurance company has donated $75,000 to Health Net of West Michigan in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month. According to the Grand Rapids Business Journal, Delta Dental of Michigan donated the grant to increase awareness of and access to dental services for individuals with Healthy Kids Dental coverage. Read more… 

Insurer funding campaign for kids’ dental health

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An insurance company has donated $75,000 to increase awareness of and access to dental services for kids in West Michigan.

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Nonprofits step in to help homeless youth with health care

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Five nonprofit organizations have collaborated to provide wraparound health and wellness services for homeless youth.

The Comprehensive Health Initiative is providing services to 400 youth, giving them connections to health care insurance, primary care providers, wellness coping strategies and crisis support therapy.

Learn more…