June 2021
As part of the Community-Centered Health initiative, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation supports the development of a regular news and resource roundup. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, you can change your subscription preferences by following the link at the end of this message.
Tools, Reports, and Resources
IMPROVING ACCESS TO CRITICAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS - Policy Brief
Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy Center for Child & Family Policy issued this brief that provides recommendations to enhance access to food nutrition programs such as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in North Carolina. The brief summarizes key findings from the 299 interviews conducted with program participants and staff members across eight counties in North Carolina. Read the brief to learn insights about experiences with the programs and identified actionable solutions to improve program participation and experience. Learn more. Related blog post.
RACIAL EQUITY MAP - Guide 
The Racial Equity Map, published by Racial Equity Learning and Action Community, is a tool to guide organizations’ thinking and actions to advance racial equity. It helps organizations assess where they are on their racial equity journey, spark thoughtful and respectful conversations, and identify action steps to advance racial equity together. Use the Racial Equity Map to advance your organization’s racial equity journey. Learn more.
SOCIAL HEALTH DATA TOOLKIT AND WORKBOOK - Toolkit
The Health Leads Social Health Data Toolkit is designed for a range of healthcare teams seeking to effectively collect and apply social health program data. The toolkit supports efforts to address social health and is relevant for practices at all phases of implementation and applies to all populations served. The toolkit offers: 1) key steps to implementing the Social Health Model 2) screening funnels with tips for addressing challenges 3) screening Data Tracking Workbook, and 4) navigation overview.  Use the toolkit to enhance efforts to collect and apply social health program data. Learn more.
SYSTEMS ALIGNMENT FRAMEWORK - Interactive Website 
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s framework is based on the belief that that addressing complex, community-level barriers to good health requires fundamentally different ways of working across sectors. The framework offers insights into key elements that drive successful efforts to align health care, public health, and social service sectors. In addition to explaining the key elements, each section has corresponding case studies and briefs to dive deeper into each element. Explore the interactive website to discover the how and why of cross-sector alignment. Learn more.

Upcoming Events
TRACKING MEASURABLE OUTCOMES FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH: USING CLEAR IMPACT SCORECARD - Virtual
June 9, September 8, December 8
The North Carolina Healthcare Association Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation, is hosting a webinar about the Clear Impact Scorecard and how this tool can be used to strengthen community health improvement efforts. Participate in the webinar to learn more about the Scorecard, how health organizations are currently using the Scorecard, and the connection with Healthy North Carolina 2030. Learn more.
DUKE SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE - ASSESSING IMPACT & IMPROVING EFFICACY: EVALUATION 101
June 30
An evaluation capacity-building session is being offered for local non-profit, public, and community-based programs/organizations. It will focus on building evaluation knowledge and capacity to help organizations “prove and improve.” The session is free; however, registration is required. Learn more.
THE ROOT CAUSE COALITION 6TH NATIONAL SUMMIT ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH - Virtual
October 4-6
The agenda for this year’s National Summit will bring together representatives from health care, community, and faith-based organizations, researchers, government leaders, educators, and businesses. The goal is to share best practices, offer community connections and resources and engage in the crucial discussion of how to best address the social determinants of health. Early bird registration goes through July 1st, 2021. Participate in the summit to take action on factors such as systemic racism, food insecurity, lack of safe and affordable housing, quality education, transportation, and isolation so that the collective health of our nation is improved. Learn more.

Featured Community-Centered Health Initiative
CASE STUDIES ON CARE RESOURCE COORDINATION IN COVID-19
This case study from The North Carolina Community Health Worker and Support Services Programs focuses on promoting safe quarantine and isolation for COVID-19 in marginalized populations, program operations, key factors to success, as well as challenges and lessons learned. Read the case study to learn about North Carolina’s unique resource coordination, financing of social supports, and support of COVID-19 cases and contacts. Learn more.

Funding & Leveraging Opportunities
SYSTEMS FOR ACTION: SYSTEMS AND SERVICES RESEARCH TO BUILD A CULTURE OF HEALTH
Due: June 9, 2021
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Systems for Action program seeks proposals to measure the impact of collaborations across medical, social, and public health systems that allow organizations to equitably share in the costs and the benefits and to share in the power and influence that govern these initiatives. Learn more.
HEALTH EQUITY SCHOLARS FOR ACTION 
Due: June 16
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's new Health Equity Scholars for Action program provides support to help individuals thrive professionally and personally, and contribute to evidence that can help build a Culture of Health. Grants, up to $250,000 each, are available for research projects about health, well-being, and equity; the award includes mentorship and coaching as well as a community of support to help build networks and develop career opportunitiesLearn more.
KATE B REYNOLDS - ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IN THE SOUTHEAST 
Call By Deadline: July 20
Application due: August 10
The funding opportunity supports community engagement, awareness, and systems change efforts that directly engage the communities most impacted by trauma and toxic stress in Robeson, Columbus, and Bladen counties. Learn more.
USDA - URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION GRANT
Application due: July 30 
The funding opportunity supports the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects. The funding can be used for planning projects or implementation projects. Planning projects initiate or expand efforts of farmers, gardeners, citizens, government officials, schools, and other stakeholders in urban areas and suburbs. Projects may target areas of food access, education, business, and start-up costs for new farmers, urban agroforestry or food forests, and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production. Implementation projects accelerate existing and emerging models of urban, indoor, and other agricultural practices that serve multiple farmers. Projects will improve local food access and collaborate with partner organizations and may support infrastructure needs, emerging technologies, educational endeavors and urban farming policy implementation. Learn more. 
NORTH CAROLINA HEALING COMMUNITIES FUND
Ongoing
The North Carolina Community Foundation is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have been impacted severely by COVID‐19 through revenue loss and increased demand. The NC Healing Communities Fund will support nonprofit organizations in marginalized communities that have been disproportionately affected by the virus and its economic impacts and have been un- or under-served by other sources of financial assistance. Learn more.
Not a subscriber? Sign Up to receive the Roundup in your inbox each month.
 For feedback or questions about this communication, contact Amon Marstiller at amon.marstiller@bcbsncfoundation.org. To unsubscribe, see the link below.


This is a publication of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North
Carolina Foundation and the Care Share Health Alliance.

For more information visit:


Stacked Logo