Health

In 2010, GKUW invested $1.34 million in local health related programs.

Undesignated contributions enabled GKUW to help attract an additional $2.2 million in funds to improve our community in this area.


Cabinet Grants:

Girls on the Run – Kalamazoo Communities in Schools
A three year grant of $15,000 supports participation of 2300 3rd-5th grade girls in Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run prepares girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living through preparation for and participation in a 5K event.

Nurse-Family Partnership – Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services
GKUW granted $15,000 to the Nurse-Family Partnership which assists low-income first-time mothers to have healthy pregnancies, deliveries and infants.

Follow-Up Screenings – Pink Saturdays
GKUW granted $11,500 to provide follow-up diagnostic tests (ultrasounds, biopsies, etc) for women 40-49 years old who do not have health insurance. The grant will fill the gap in services caused by changes in government funding and guidelines for women previously covered under the county’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP).

Project Enhance – Friends of the Portage Senior Center
A grant of $9,531 supports coordination and implementation of a health promotion program for older adults. The purpose is to help older adults manage chronic conditions and prevent injuries from falls.

ACCESS (Deaf Advocacy) – Disability Network
Disability Network was granted $4,229 for deaf advocacy after the closing of the Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, filling the gap created with the discontinuation of MADHH services.  No other groups focus on deaf advocacy locally.

Suicide Prevention Action Network
GKUW granted $4,000 to support  the SPAN awareness campaign, the planning, coordination and evaluation of the Kalamazoo County Suicide Prevention Plan,  awareness presentations and training, and grant writing, grant management, and development of funding partners in public and/or private sectors.

Path Towards Wellness – Ministry with Community
GKUW granted $1,478 to support two series of 6-week health and wellness workshops to educate vulnerable and at-risk groups about positive lifestyle habits.


Initiatives:

FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card
GKUW partners with FamilyWize to distribute a prescription drug discount card to Kalamazoo County residents. The card helps consumers who don’t have prescription drug insurance coverage to obtain discounts when purchasing prescription medications. The card could lower the cost of your medicine by an average 35%. GKUW is providing these cards free-of-charge to everyone in our community. In 2010, consumers in Kalamazoo County alone saved $44,825. The average savings in 2010 was $13.41 per prescription (or 31% off the retail price of the prescription). Through May 2011 consumers in Kalamazoo County saved $22,036 total, average $15.46 per prescription (34% of the retail price).

Nurse-Family Partnership Advisory Council
GKUW serves on the Kalamazoo County Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) advisory council. NFP is an evidence-based community health program that helps transform the lives of vulnerable families pregnant with their first child. The RAND Corporation has found a net benefit to society of $5.70 for every dollar invested in NFP, with most savings accruing to government in reduced health care, educational, social services and criminal justice expenditures. Kalamazoo County’s NFP started enrolling clients in August 2008. The program is near full capacity of 100 families served.

HealthCorps Community Navigators
GKUW serves as the host to two HealthCorps Community Navigators who, with the support of the Michigan Primary Care Association and AmeriCorps, link uninsured children to healthcare. Children are enrolled online and over the phone in MIChild and HealthyKids low or no cost insurance.

CHAP (Children’s Healthcare Access Program)
The Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) is a pilot project which aims to provide low-income and Medicaid-eligible children access to medical homes.  At full implementation, CHAP will increase our community’s health and decrease inappropriate emergency department use at hospitals. GKUW serves on the steering committee of the innovative community project.

Kalamazoo Wraps Integrative Action Team
Kalamazoo Wraps is a county-wide initiative to help youth with severe emotional disturbance remain successfully in their homes, schools and community. The initiative, through training and systems reform, fosters communication and cooperation among service providers, community organizations and a youth’s “natural supports,” who may include family, friends and faith leaders. GKUW participated in intensive planning for this grant beginning in 1998. Currently, GKUW serves on the Integrative Action Team, which oversees implementation of the grant. Due to efforts of GKUW and other partners, this grant brings $1-1.5 million/year to the Kalamazoo area for 6 years.

Edison School Based Health Center
The ESBHC serves the students of Edison Environmental Sciences Academy, their siblings, and the members of the Boys & Girls Clubs. The center provides primary and acute medical care, health education, and mental health counseling. It is staffed by a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatrician and medical assistant from the Family Health Center and a mental health counselor from Family & Children Services. Serving on the advisory council, GKUW has been instrumental in planning, funding and securing additional resources for the ESBHC.

Kalamazoo County Health Plan
Kalamazoo County Health Plan (KCHP) is a community-sponsored program for people in Kalamazoo County who are uninsured or recipients of the State Medical Program.  KCHP provides basic coverage that includes access to a primary care practice and other health care benefits. Serving on the Board of Directors of the KCHP, GKUW has been instrumental in developing and maintaining our community’s ability to offer health coverage to the uninsured.  GKUW allocations leverage additional funding from government sources.  GKUW allocations to eligible partner agency programs allow the KCHP to draw down matching dollars from the federal government at a rate of $1.72 for every $1 allocated by GKUW, which totaled $990,367 in 2010.


Public Policy:

GKUW mobilizes the caring power of our community to improve lives by strategic use of money, volunteers, key relationships and networks of partners.  Engagement in public policy is another strategy GKUW uses to fulfill mission and vision.  Public policy is crucial, because public sector decisions greatly affect the nonprofit sector’s capacity to address community needs.  GKUW has a responsibility to educate policymakers about how their decisions can help improve health & human service systems and the quality of life for Kalamazoo County residents.

The GKUW Board’s Public Policy Agenda for 2010-12:  Support for high-quality, lifelong education and training for Kalamazoo County residents of all ages.  

Policies relevant to the agenda in the area of health include:  Nurse-Family Partnership and other home visiting efforts, and MIChild (SCHIP).