Fallon Health awards grants to support 10 community-based programs in Massachusetts
Worcester, Mass., March 24, 2017 — Fallon Health, a nationally recognized not-for-profit health care services organization, announced today that it awarded $100,000 in grants funding to 10 not-for-profit, community-based programs across Massachusetts.
Through its Community Benefits Grants program, Fallon supports like-minded organizations which share its mission of making our communities healthy. The company has distributed more than $1.2 million in Community Benefits Grants in the last 10 years. During that same period the number of grant requests annually has increased more than 400 percent.
Fallon determines its funding priorities every three years following a complete Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) of its service area. Its 2016 funding priorities focus on programs that:
- promote opportunities for “at-risk”/”proven risk” youth and young adults between the ages of 12 to 21
- address preventive health and social services for seniors
- provide services to support individuals with behavioral and/or mental health issues with specific emphasis on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable group by their ethnicity, age, demographics and risk-factors.
The following organizations received a Community Benefits Grant based on their ability to achieve positive health outcomes in one or more of three critical focus areas:
Programs that promote opportunities for “at-risk”/”proven risk” youth and young adults between the ages of 12 to 21
Bottom Line, Worcester: A grant of $10,000 for its Access and Success Programs. These programs provide low-income, first generation Worcester college-bound and college students with one-on-one guidance and mentoring to enable them to graduate with a degree, manageable debt and meaningful career opportunity.
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester: A grant of $7,500 for its Family Support program, which focuses on improving the emotional/physical well-being and resilience of at-risk and proven-risk youth and kids who have special needs.
Samaritans, Inc., throughout Massachusetts: A grant of $7,500 for Youth Suicide Prevention Services including compassionate, non-judgmental listening to all HelpLine phone/text/chat visitors, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and delivery of 238 workshops reaching 10,400 youth in Greater Boston, MetroWest and Central MA.
Springfield Day Nursery: A grant of $10,000 for its Square One SQUAD learn and Earn Program. This program is designed to provide access to educational services to at-risk youth leading to the attainment of a high school equivalency necessary to achieve career success and self-sufficiency. In addition, the program is designed to provide workforce development, skills training and employment opportunities.
UTEC, Lowell and Lawrence: A grant of $10,000 for its Transitional Coaching for Proven-Risk Youth. The goal of the Transitional Coaching team, which includes an on-site counselor, is to support young people as they work toward multiple goals such as increased educational attainment and employability.
Programs that focus on preventive health and social services for seniors
Community Teamwork, Inc., Greater Lowell: A grant of $10,000 for its Bone Builders program to prevent and reverse osteoporosis, improve balance and enhance energy and well-being among seniors.
Healthcare Options, Inc. of Norfolk and Bristol Counties: A grant of $7,500 for its Elder Dental Program to maintain and increase the network of volunteer participating dentists and specialists who agree to treat low-income seniors at discounted rates; connect low-income seniors, age 60 and older, with affordable oral health care through a network of volunteer dentists who have agreed to treat them at extremely low fees; and hold two free dental screening clinics for low-income older adults, age 60 and older, one in the fall and one in the spring.
MAB Community Services, throughout Massachusetts: A grant of $7,500 to fund Vision Rehabilitation for Older Adults, medical, training and counseling services that help seniors navigate their health and safety despite vision loss.
Programs that provide services to support individuals with behavioral and/or mental health issues with specific emphasis on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable group by their ethnicity, age, demographics and risk-factors
Children’s Friend, Central MA: A grant of $15,000 for the The Ellsworth Child and Family Counseling Center to treat clients without resorting to residential or in-patient services and improve their functioning to their optimal level as soon as possible.
HOPE Coalition, Worcester: A grant of $15,000 for the HOPE Mental Health Model to increase low-income youth and youths of color access to supportive mental health services; to increase youth workers’ ability to identify and address signs of behavioral health problems; and for youth to enhance their social-emotional skills.
“We’re fortunate to partner with some of the most innovative, caring and hard-working non-profits in the state. Together, we work to improve the health and well-being of communities we serve,” said Richard Burke, President and CEO of Fallon Health. “Throughout Fallon’s 40-year history, partnerships have been one of the keys to our success in helping people of all ages, income levels and health statuses to achieve their health goals and we plan to continue this commitment in our future.”
In addition to its Community Benefits Grant program, Fallon offers robust community support including monthly mini-grants, annual hunger relief funding, corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, wellness programs and volunteering. For more information, visit fallonhealth.org/community.
Carrie Wattu
508-368-9345
About Fallon Health
Founded in 1977, Fallon Health is a leading health care services organization that supports the diverse and changing needs of those we serve. In addition to offering innovative health insurance solutions and a variety of Medicaid and Medicare products, we excel in creating unique health care programs and services that provide coordinated, integrated care for seniors and individuals with complex health needs. Fallon has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products. For more information, visit www.fallonhealth.org.