Partnerships Newsletter | Fall 2023 |
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California Bolsters Racial Justice, Anti-Bias Efforts with $1.5 Million for Northern California and San Joaquin Valley 'Stop the Hate' Grantees |
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Stop the Hate grantees table at an event in 2022. |
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In a continued effort to curb violence, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has awarded an additional $91.4 million to 173 organizations to support survivors of hate crimes with services and facilitating anti-hate prevention measures. This Stop the Hate program investment follows $44.6 million previously provided for anti-hate programs.
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The Center at Sierra Health Foundation will continue to serve as the Northern California and San Joaquin Valley regional lead for this initiative, having provided training resources and grants to community organizations addressing racially motivated hate crimes. In this latest round, The Center was allocated $1.5M to continue doing so.
Learn more about The Center’s work on Stop the Hate here.
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The Center Announces 34 Grantee Partners for First Round of
Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
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On September 15, in partnership with The Center, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) awarded $16.3 million to 34 nonprofits to support youth suicide prevention efforts by nonprofit organizations throughout the state. These investments are allocated to support the Youth Suicide Prevention Media and Outreach Campaign.
“As a father of four, I know firsthand the challenges kids today are facing, and that too many struggling kids aren’t getting the support they need,” said California governor Gavin Newsom. “With suicide as the second leading cause of death among California’s youth, we have to do more to reach vulnerable kids where they are. These community investments and resource hubs will help the youngest Californians access the support and services they need.”
The Center at Sierra Health Foundation plays a crucial role in encouraging a community of practice among the partners. These investments are allocated to support the Youth Suicide Prevention Media and Outreach Campaign. This campaign has a laser focus on addressing youth that are statistically disproportionately affected by suicide, specifically those who are American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latinx populations, and Black/African American. Additionally, we extend our support to intersectional populations, which include youth facing mental health conditions and/or substance use challenges, those who have been adversely impacted by the foster care system and 2S/LGBTQ+ youth.
"California’s youth are the heartbeat of our future. Sadly, too many are dying by suicide or wrestling with suicidal thoughts and feelings on their own. When they are unwell, we are all grieved,” said Chet P. Hewitt, CEO of The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. “We believe that community organizations closest to young people are critical to reaching youth. The Center is grateful to partner with the California Department of Public Health on the Youth Suicide Prevention Media and Outreach Campaign to connect young people with hope and culturally competent mental health resources through community-based organizations.”
Click here to view all 34 recipients.
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Unveiling the HEAR US Roadmap: An Interview
with HEAT’S Matt Curtis
In this interview with Matt Curtis, Managing Director of the Health Equity and Access Team (HEAT) at The Center and Sierra Health Foundation, we delve into the team’s visionary goals. He shares their work in advancing health equity and access in California, while overseeing a groundbreaking $65 million initiative generously funded by California's Department of Health Care Services.
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Q: What are the goals of the Health Equity and Access Team at The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, and what is your vision for the health equity and access program department?
A: Our department’s goal is to address the unmet needs in California, where certain populations have been left behind in terms of access to healthcare and public health infrastructure. Specifically, we're concerned about how healthcare access has been racialized, with Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American communities often having fewer resources and facing institutional barriers. Even when they do have resources, the public health and medical infrastructure is often developed in ways that are hostile to these communities.
Our North Star is addressing these disparities in healthcare and public health through a racial equity and health equity lens. A significant portion of our work revolves around promoting health and safety. This includes efforts related to people who use drugs, spanning substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction services, clinical treatment services, medication for opioid use disorder treatment and recovery services. Additionally, we are deeply engaged in COVID response efforts, particularly focusing on vaccine access and prevention services. To date, we've invested nearly $20 million in grassroots community organizations as part of our COVID initiatives.
Q: Why do racial equity and health equity matter in the context of substance use disorder, and how does your team address these intersections?
A: For [the HEAT team], the intersections of health and racial equity are paramount in addressing substance abuse disorder. We see the ways that decision-makers in society have historically and profoundly robbed communities [of color] of opportunities for good employment, equal access to education and broader health care. How do we expect people to just keep walking through that?
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Shelley Dyer Promoted Permanently as Managing Director of Local Initiatives
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Shelley Dyer has been permanently promoted to the position of Managing Director of Local Initiatives (formerly Community Economic Development). Shelley joined our organization in October 2021 as a Senior Program Offer for the Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC), bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community well-being, youth development and health equity.
Under Dyer’s leadership, we are proud to announce significant developments within BCLC, which includes the launch of an 8th BCLC site and a pilot BCLC program in nearby Fresno, a strategic move to extend our model to new communities and make a difference where it's needed most.
Dyer holds a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from Spelman College and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University.
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Dyer's (pictured right) passion for community empowerment and her unique blend of skills makes her an exceptional leader for our Local Initiatives. |
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We have every confidence that Shelley's expertise and commitment will continue to drive positive change and community well-being under her leadership. Please join us in congratulating her on her well-deserved promotion and in welcoming her to this new chapter in her career. |
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A Decade of Dedication: Celebrating 10 Years of the Black Child Legacy Campaign
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Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC) gathered on August 16 to celebrate their collective successes and shared commitment to ending Black child death disparities in Sacramento. The event marked a decade of unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of Black children and families. This journey began with the launch of the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths (RAACD) in 2013, followed by the establishment of BCLC in 2015.
At the event, former Sacramento County Child Protective Services Division Manager Kim Pearson was honored with the 2023 Innovation for Children Award. A longstanding member of the RAACD Steering Committee, Pearson received the award from Chet P. Hewitt, The Center's CEO and co-chair of the RAACD Steering Committee (both pictured left).
Maurice Samuels, The Center's Managing Director of Evaluation and Learning, and Shelley Dyer, Managing Director of Local Initiatives, presented partners with data showcasing the progress made toward reducing Black child deaths and disparities.
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Stay tuned for updates as BCLC prepares to release an evaluative report of the most recent data
and program impacts later this Fall.
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Sacramento youth stay safe as Kings and Queens Rise Wind Down Sixth Season |
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Kings and Queens Rise (KQR), our co-ed youth sports and mentoring league that seeks to prevent and interrupt violence by providing an opportunity for young people in Sacramento to engage in intercommunity activities, successfully culminated its sixth season on August 5. |
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The eight-week basketball season is made possible through a partnership with the Sacramento Kings and The Center's Build. Black. Coalition, Black Child Legacy Campaign and My Brother's Keeper Sacramento programs. This year’s league featured 24 teams comprised of more than 300 youth from 4th through 10th grade. Games and practices took place throughout North and South Sacramento in community locations, and the season culminated with a tournament hosted by the Kings. It provides these students from the Arden Arcade, Del Paso Heights-North Sacramento, Foothill Farms-North Highlands, Fruitridge-Stockton, Marina Vista, Meadowview, Oak Park and Valley Hi neighborhoods with unique mentorship opportunities, as well as the ability to get to know other young people from different neighborhoods throughout the city.
The eight-week basketball season is made possible through a partnership with the Sacramento Kings and The Center's Black Child Legacy Campaign and My Brother's Keeper Sacramento programs.
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Farm Progress: Ag-Venture campers dive ‘headfirst’ into agriculture
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A grant from The Center at Sierra Health Foundation funded this day camp for underserved youth in Sutter and Yuba Counties focused on agriculture and natural resources – the first of its kind in the area. Exploring the themes of “Interesting Insects,” “Foods and Farms,” “Woods and Water” and “Awesome Animals,” the campers learned directly from community experts and scientists from the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
This camp is part of a more extensive collaborative effort. Over the past year, nonprofit organization 4-H, CalFresh Healthy Living and the Master Gardener Program have joined forces to serve youth and their families. The Sierra Health Foundation provided funding for this comprehensive positive youth development program, encompassing four vital components which include the agricultural camp, embryology, healthy living programming, and school garden program.
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CalMatters: From films to counseling — how California is spending
$90 million to fight hate
CalMatters recently covered California's proactive response to a 20% increase in hate crimes in 2022. The state has allocated $91 million in additional grants to local organizations working to prevent hate crimes and support survivors. The Center at Sierra Health Foundation serves as the Northern California and San Joaquin Valley regional lead for this initiative, having overseen more than $3.4 million in grants to community organizations addressing rising racially motivated hate crimes.
Read more about the statewide efforts on the “Stop the Hate” campaign on the CalMatters website.
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EVENTS
Thanking This Month's Speaker Series Participants
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Rebecca Tortes, Director of the California Tribal Fund, and Sabine Talaugon, Program Officer at the First Nations Development Institute, visited Sierra Health Foundation for a timely conversation on October 3 with Antoinette Ascencio from the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians. Together, they explored the unique assets that Native communities bring to building healthy, sustainable and culturally relevant food systems.
Click the flyer to watch the recap video now!
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FUNDING NEWS
From Our Partners at REDF
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Launched in 2023, CA RISE (California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise) marks the nation’s first statewide capital and capacity-building investment in employment social enterprises. In partnership with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), REDF serves as program lead for this $25 million investment and will deliver customized technical assistance to businesses across the state that employ, train and support talented Californians overcoming barriers to employment.
They are now actively recruiting employment social enterprises (ESEs) interested in participating in CA RISE to begin the application process. An ESE is a for-profit or nonprofit organization that earns revenue through the sale of a good or service produced by employees overcoming barriers to work. Each entity should have a stated mission that they exist specifically for the purpose of providing employment, training, and supportive services to people overcoming barriers to work. Program outcomes are just as important as business outcomes to ESEs.
Selected participants program will benefit from the following:
- Grant funding ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, commencing in 2024.
- 18 months of capacity-building programming.
- Access to a dedicated network of peer leaders for learning and networking.
- Support in navigating and accessing additional government programs, such as SNAP Employment & Training.
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Sally Ching, Policy Director, Alliance for Boys and Men of Color
Elaine Lander, Program Officer, Evaluation and Learning
Jedida Gomes, Program Officer, Local Initiatives
Anthony Maikuri, PhD, Evaluation Officer
Bryan Osorio, Program Officer, San Joaquin Valley Health Fund
Jenavie Rivera, Program Assistant, Health Equity and Access
Shamar Sabree, Events Assistant, Conferencing and Facilities
Marabelle Vang, Program Assistant, Healthy Youth Development
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Are you looking to make a positive impact in your community? Are you passionate about meaningfully addressing issues of health equity and social justice? We are looking for mission-driven professionals just like you to join our team!
Learn more about careers at the Sierra Health Foundation on our website and become the change you wish to see in the world!
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1321 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA 95833
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Sacramento Office
1321 Garden Hwy, Suite 210, Sacramento, CA 95833
San Joaquin Valley Office
1401 Fulton Street, Suite 510, Fresno, CA 93721
559.992.0670
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