The Kresge Foundation in Troy, Michigan, has announced the creation of two new initiatives to directly support the work of community health organizations addressing critical needs for underserved populations.
The Health Clinic Opportunity Fund is designed to support and strengthen the capacity of free clinics, public health clinics, and federally qualified health center "look-alikes" working to meet the immediate and long-term health needs of constituents. The other effort, the Safety-Net Enhancement Initiative, aims to demonstrate how community health centers can address health disparities, enhance service delivery and care, and improve outcomes through collaboration and regional partnerships.
The new initiatives join an existing Kresge effort, the Safety-Net Facility Improvement initiative, which uses the foundation's traditional challenge grant approach in supporting capital improvements at clinics and hospitals.
According to David D. Fukuzawa, Kresge program director and Health Program team leader, community health centers will play an important role in healthcare reform by demonstrating ways in which primary care can help reduce costs while providing access for the nation's under- and uninsured population.
"While the economic impact of the recession has affected virtually every segment of society in the United States and worldwide, its devastation has been felt most dramatically by residents of lower-income and minority communities," said Kresge Foundation president Rip Rapson. "These new initiatives are two examples of how we are responding by directing resources where they can do the most good, most immediately."
“Kresge Announces New Initiatives for Community-Health Organizations.” Kresge Foundation Press Release 8/03/09.