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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Media Contact: Sara
O’Keefe |
| July 2, 2008 |
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Phone: (303)
953-3655 |
Foundation Invests
$25 Million in Colorado Communities Since January
More Than 60 Organizations Funded to Help Make Colorado Healthiest State
DENVER — The Colorado Health
Foundation is committed to making Colorado the healthiest state
in the nation by funding nonprofits throughout the state that are
working to ensure that all Coloradans have access to the components
of healthy living, have health coverage and receive quality, coordinated
health care.
Since the beginning of 2008, the Foundation has invested more
than $25 million in 60 organizations that are working to improve
the health of Coloradans. At mid-year 44 organizations were awarded
$10 million, more than $3 million of which was dedicated to two
major projects:
- Continuing the Foundation’s emphasis on Health
Information Technology, the Colorado Identity Management
and Federated Authentication project, managed by the Colorado
Regional Health Information Organization, will promote
the electronic exchange of information among health care
organizations throughout the state. These include the state’s
safety-net clinics, which provide care to Colorado’s
under- and uninsured. This effort will be possible due in
part to a $1.4 million operating grant awarded to CORHIO
to implement the project, which will improve quality of care.
- Colorado Access,
in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Health Care
Policy and Financing, will launch a $1.8 million pilot project
to deliver intensive, multidisciplinary case management services
to thousands of Medicaid patients with multiple chronic conditions.
The goals of this project are to improve the health outcomes
of 2,500 of the highest-cost Medicaid patients and to provide
a model for integrated care and chronic care management.
The Foundation accepts applications for funding four times a year.
The next deadline is October 15. Information about the process,
including the Foundation’s grant
guidelines, is available at www.ColoradoHealth.org.
In addition to the projects described above, the Foundation’s
Board also approved the following major grants between April 1
and June 30, 2008:
- Business Health Forum – $250,000 for
an education and awareness program to encourage business community
leaders to get involved in health reform efforts
- Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing – $877,000
to pilot multiple strategies that will integrate services for
some of the highest-cost Medicaid patients with chronic diseases
to improve quality of life, better coordinate care and provide
tailored health care services
- Colorado Foundation for Public Health and Environment – $337,000
for a leadership development fellowship to create supportive
workplaces for nurses to improve retention
- Dental Aid – $330,000 to educate low-income
pregnant women about oral health care, which will increase the
chances of healthy-weight babies, and to treat dental disease
in young children
- Jeffco Action Center – $250,000 for
nursing and medication support, pandemic preparation and crisis
mental health counseling
- North Colorado Health Alliance – $600,000
to increase access to integrated primary care and behavioral
health services for underserved patients in Weld County, Colo.
- Operation Frontline Colorado – $832,000
to provide education on nutrition, cooking, shopping, food safety
and physical activity to help reduce obesity and related chronic
diseases
- Rocky Mountain Health Care Services – $300,000
to provide medical and social services to the elderly population
of El Paso County, Colo., thus enhancing their quality of life
- Salud Family Health Centers – $450,000
for personnel and equipment to operate a dental clinic and provide
services to individuals and families who do not have access to
oral care
- St. Anthony Health Foundation – $394,000
to support a program that helps older adults understand eligibility
and apply for publicly-funded health benefits
- University of Colorado Foundation – $467,000
to support the University of Colorado Aging Center’s evaluation
of programs, strengthening of partnerships and creation of a
model program for other communities with limited financial and
health care resources.
About The Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation works to make Colorado the healthiest
state in the nation by increasing the number of Coloradans with
health insurance, ensuring they have access to quality, coordinated
care and encouraging healthy living. The Foundation invests in
the community through grants and initiatives to health-related
nonprofits that focus on these goals, as well as operating medical
education programs to increase the health care workforce. The
Foundation's assets of more than $1 billion include an investment
portfolio as well as an ownership interest in Denver’s
HealthONE hospital system. For more information, please
visit www.ColoradoHealth.org.
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