MCF Announces $500,000 in Second Round of Grants from Sutter Health Access to Care Fund
October 11, 2010
contact: Fred Silverman (415.464.2527 or via email)
To provide health care to children without insurance coverage and to help older adults remain in their homes as long as possible, the Marin Community Foundation (MCF) is making grants totaling $500,000 from the Sutter Health Access to Care Fund.
This is the second round of grants MCF is making from a $10 million donor-advised fund established at the Foundation earlier this year in a partnership between MCF and the Sutter Health network of Northern California doctors and hospitals.
A grant of $250,000 will support insurance premiums that will enable children to receive preventive and primary health care services. According to the Marin Children’s Health Initiative, approximately 900 children in Marin, whose parents cannot afford the cost of private medical insurance or do not qualify for publicly funded programs, will benefit from this portal to appropriate medical care.
“Without adequate medical insurance, even routine childhood illnesses can become serious,” said Dr. Thomas Peters, president and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation, in announcing the grants. “It’s vital that kids have regular check-ups and easy, affordable access to a range of medical services. By assuring that these youngsters are cared for, the health status for all kids in Marin is improved.”
The grants will help subsidize outpatient medical, dental, and vision coverage for these children.
An additional $250,000 will fund an adult day health program designed to help older adults maintain or improve their ability to take care of themselves in their own homes.
The grant will support LifeLong Medical Care to serve older Marin residents at its care center in Novato. Participants will benefit from a specialized clinical team approach that includes a medical doctor, nurse, and social worker, along with an activity coordinator and physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
“We know that by receiving this kind of comprehensive care, older adults increase their independence, strengthen their mobility, build new social connections, and learn about their personal health and nutritional needs,” explained Peters. “This broad clinical approach also helps the participant’s caregiver, often a family member or close friend, by providing helpful information and occasional respite.”
“We are very gratified to see this round of grants continue what we started earlier this year,” said Martin Brotman, M.D., president of Sutter Health’s West Bay Region. “The Foundation is working closely with county officials and nonprofit health care providers to identify heath care needs and effective ways to address them. Helping ensure the health of children and older adults is a critical contribution to the overall health of the community, and we’re pleased that our partnership with MCF is getting resources to where they’re especially needed.”
“All of us at the Foundation are grateful for the opportunity to apply these charitable resources in such high priority areas,” added Peters. “This partnership with Sutter Health represents what being a community foundation is all about—collaborating with generous members of our community to make sure that philanthropic dollars are used as effectively as possible.”
To hear an interview with Dr. Tomas Peters and Martin Brotman, M.D. about the partnership between Sutter Health and MCF, listen to the podcast on this page.
