Jackson Care Connect supports community health with $145,000 in grants

Funding addresses health priorities from Community Health Improvement Plan

February 2, 2022

Medford, Ore.— Today, Jackson Care Connect announced $145,000 in grant awards to nonprofit organizations serving people in Jackson County. Projects selected for funding include a community center for youth, in-home fall/risk assessments and a street team serving the health care needs of people experiencing homelessness.

The grants align with the priorities of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), known as All In For Health. This community-wide initiative addresses the health priorities of housing, behavioral health and parenting support. Jackson Care Connect was involved in the creation of All In For Health, along with many local health and social service organizations.

“Today, youth are faced with many challenges that are impacting their overall wellness. The CHIP grant support is vital to supporting kids by providing a safe place to find trusted adults,” said Bud Amundsen, Executive Director of Youth 71Five Ministries. The organization’s Station 71Five Community Center is one of the projects funded by the CHIP grants. He said the center “provides an opportunity to engage kids and their families in activities and healthy mentoring relationships that will improve their mental health and well being.”

Jackson Care Connect is a nonprofit, community-governed coordinated care organization (CCO) serving more than 50,000 Oregon Health Plan members in Jackson County. Jackson Care Connect’s Community Advisory Council, which is made up of members and community stakeholders, oversaw selection of the grants.

“They all touch different areas of our community,” said Jacquie Jaquette, a member of the Community Advisory Council, of the funded programs. Jaquette noted many of the projects will help interrupt the poverty cycle and serve marginalized populations.

The grant awards are:

Community Works: $10,000

Project: Transitional living program

Description: Provides transitional housing to clients with accompanying case management, helping people build financial stability and prepare for permanent independent housing.

Family Nurturing Center: $20,000

Project: First 1,000 Days

Description: Supports expecting parents and families with young children by providing services that focus on social connection, parent mentors, peer support, fresh foods, care coordination and more.

La Clinica: $15,000

Project: Behavioral health care workforce development

Description: Addresses the workforce shortage in behavioral health clinicians through supporting pre-licensed clinicians by providing specialized training, mentoring and professional development support.

NAMI Southern Oregon: $10,000

Project: Latinx outreach project

Description: Provides education, support and advocacy opportunities for Latinx community members living with mental illness.

NOWIA Unete: $15,000

Project: Out of the Cold

Description: Provides short-term emergency shelter and food support to farm worker and immigrant families who are displaced due to circumstances beyond their control.

OHSU: $20,000

Project: I-CAN Street Team

Description: Creates a team of health care professionals to serve people experiencing homelessness by reducing barriers to health care, establishing trust in health care providers and respecting dignity.

The Pathfinder Network: $10,000

Project: Center for Transformation and Collaboration

Description: Creates a welcoming, collaborative center to support people involved in community justice and DHS by assessing needs, connecting them to community resources and providing peer support.

Rebuilding Together Rogue Valley: $12,500

Project: Keeping vulnerable adults safe in their homes

Description: Performs in-home fall risk assessments and installs low-cost, high-impact safely equipment into homes of older adults and people with disabilities.

Set Free: $12,500

Project: Shower and laundry renovation

Description: Updates the free shower and laundry trailers that are available to use by community members who are experiencing homelessness.

Youth 71-Five Ministries: $20,000

Project: Youth community center called Station 71Five

Description: Supports youth through a one-stop shop that offers wraparound services to address needs and intervene before problems occur, improving physical, emotional, and mental health.

For information about Jackson Care Connect, contact Sara King Cole, 503-416-7791. kingcoles@careoregon.org.

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About Jackson Care Connect

Since 2012, when Oregon established coordinated care organizations (CCOs), Jackson Care Connect has been dedicated to serving the whole-person health needs of Jackson County’s Oregon Health Plan members. As a nonprofit CCO, we provide physical, dental and mental health services through the largest CCO network of medical providers in Southern Oregon. Our priorities are guided by our local board of directors, community advisory council, and deep community ties. We proudly partner with organizations that promote a healthy region and work in partnership with our community to address social determinants of health and barriers to health equity. Jackson Care Connect is part of the CareOregon family of companies and is operated by local staff in downtown Medford.